by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you fascinated by food, health and nutrition? A major in Nutrition Sciences will allow you to fully explore how the body uses food for energy and nutrition. You will learn about the affects nutrition has on illness, exercise, and aging and how the digestive process works. You will also explore the science behind the makeup of food.
Classes you will take in this major include: anatomy, biology, chemistry, human nutrition, data analysis, physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, immunology, physiology, vitamin and mineral biochemistry, and lifecycle nutrition.
In 2021-2022, nutrition science was the 124th most popular major nationwide with 5,598 degrees awarded. This year's Best Nutrition Science Schools ranking compares 76 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom nutrition science rankings further below.
This is an interdisciplinary major that requires research many different topics of food, health and science. Students will spend time in lecture halls, labs and in the field. They will be required to communicate their findings in research papers, lab reports and oral presentations. Learn to write clearly and effectively, avoiding technical terms and jargon.
A passion for biological processes will be important. You will be exploring the different nutrient requirements for athletes, children, or geriatrics. Many schools will require you to work as an intern in this field. You could work on campus in the health center or for a food processing company. Nutrition research is constantly updated, meaning you will need to stay up to date on the latest information and advice.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most nutrition science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional nutrition science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different nutrition science degree levels. Nutrition Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest nutrition science degree you can get. Depending on the nutrition science degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| 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 nutrition science, with approximately 21.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for nutrition science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 23.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19.2% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 16.7% |
| High School Diploma | 13.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.3% |
About 50.4% of workers in careers related to nutrition science obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in nutrition science have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which nutrition science career you choose.
Nutrition Sciences will prepare you for a career as dietician or nutritionist. As obesity and eating disorders increase, there has also been an increase in promoting health and wellness. Diet can help prevent some diseases and professionals in this field can help provide care for people with diabetes or high cholesterol. Graduates can also work in public health institutions, hospitals, health centers or gyms.
Want a job when you graduate with your nutrition science degree? Nutrition Science careers are expected to grow 11.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nutrition science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | 77,900 | 14.6% |
| Biological Science Professors | 71,700 | 15.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Biological Scientists | 41,800 | 8.0% |
| Dietetic Technicians | 36,500 | 9.3% |
Recently graduated nutrition science students earned an average of $35,614 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $18,122 to as high as $66,323. As you might expect, salaries for nutrition science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for nutrition science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers nutrition science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
| Life Scientists | $89,150 |
| Biological Scientists | $83,600 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,210 |
With over 324 different nutrition science 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 nutrition science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Nutrition Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,598 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Behavioral Science | 4,493 |
Image Credit: By division, CSIRO under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
