by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, dietetics/dietitian was the 207th most popular major nationwide with 3,788 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 102 over the prior year, a growth of 2.7%.
This year's Best Dietetics/Dietitian Schools ranking compares 104 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dietetics programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in dietetics/dietitian is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Talking to others to convey information effectively and monitoring assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most dietetics degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific dietetics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Dietetics degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in dietetics/dietitian to the highest dietetics degree, a . The type of dietetics degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dietetics, with approximately 17.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for dietetics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 34.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 15.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 13.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 13.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 9.9% |
53.2% of dietetics workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in dietetics/dietitian have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the dietetics career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your dietetics degree? Dietetics/Dietitian careers are expected to grow 12.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dietetics/dietitian.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 77,900 | 14.6% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 36,500 | 9.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for dietetics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dietetics/dietitian graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dietetics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,210 |
| Dietetic Technicians | $30,130 |
With over 271 different dietetics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dietetics school rankings to help you with this.
Dietetics/Dietitian is one of 4 different types of Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 1,013 |
| Dietitian Assistant | 637 |
| Other Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 493 |
| Dietetic Technician | 227 |
