2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nutrition science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nutrition Science Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among nutrition science schools in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #2 place for nutrition science. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $28,211 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $44,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for nutrition science. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $23,563. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $31,950. That is a strong return on a $23,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $22,337. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #6 spot for nutrition science value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for nutrition science graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #7 spot for nutrition science value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #8 spot for nutrition science value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $38,332. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nutrition science schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $40,504. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #10 position for value in nutrition science this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
