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. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,493 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $31,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $17,182. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $21,031. Set against $17,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for nutrition science value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #7 among the best values for nutrition science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
California State University Fresno ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $11,375 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $64,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
California State University Northridge came in at #10 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #11 spot for nutrition science value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for nutrition science value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $17,137. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $30,620. That is a strong return on a $17,137 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in nutrition science this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $21,842. Nutrition Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #14 for value in nutrition science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $24,710 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $27,724. Set against $24,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot for nutrition science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $16,182 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $35,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $15,815. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $27,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College placed #17 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $19,528. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Montclair State University landed the #18 spot for nutrition science value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $44,369. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Davis landed the #19 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $34,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #20 position 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, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $28,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $34,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #21 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $16,191. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,639 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $37,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #23 position for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $26,656. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $32,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $34,504. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #25 for value in nutrition science this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $34,878. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nutrition science this year:
Other Nutrition Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value nutrition science schools at other degree levels:
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 59 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong nutrition science education at a price that pays off.
