Finding the Best Value Nutrition Science School for You
The nutrition science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Nutrition Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Nutrition Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nutrition science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $14,493. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $31,096. Set against $14,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,182 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $21,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $15,671. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $14,694. Nutrition Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #8 for value in nutrition science this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $16,481. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $64,343. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for nutrition science value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,211. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $17,250. Nutrition Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $34,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
San Francisco State University earned the #13 position for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,137 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $30,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #14 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Arizona State University earned the #15 position for value in nutrition science this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #16 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $24,710. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $27,724. Set against $24,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for nutrition science value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $16,182 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $35,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #18 position for value in nutrition science this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,818. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #19 for value in nutrition science this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $15,815 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $27,171. That is a strong return on a $15,815 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Farmingdale State College placed #20 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas Womans University came in at #22 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $28,211 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $44,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Davis ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $34,512. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #24 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #25 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nutrition science this year:
Narrow Nutrition Science Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 169 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Nutrition Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/nutrition-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
