2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nutrition science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for nutrition science in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $14,493. Nutrition Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $31,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for nutrition science. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. 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. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $16,481. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $64,343. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $20,798. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #8 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $25,286. 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%.
Arizona State University earned the #9 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. 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 ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,710 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $27,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Texas Womans University placed #11 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. 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. Nutrition Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,710. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #13 spot for nutrition science value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
California State University Chico earned the #14 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $19,272 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $25,490. Set against $19,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #15 among the best values for nutrition science. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #16 for value in nutrition science this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $18,000. 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. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in nutrition science this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #18 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $37,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #19 spot for nutrition science value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo placed #20 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $22,511. Nutrition Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #22 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #23 for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $33,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #24 for value in nutrition science this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $23,969. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,295. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for nutrition science. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nutrition science program here. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $18,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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
The ranking above is published 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 38 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
