2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nutrition science students.
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2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
For return on investment in nutrition science, no school beat University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nutrition science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $32,676. That is a strong return on a $24,586 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #2 place for nutrition science. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Nutrition Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nutrition science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $33,381. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in nutrition science will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #4. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,474 to complete the nutrition science program here. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for nutrition science. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the nutrition science program here. Nutrition Science graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $51,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Benedict placed #6 among the best values for nutrition science. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,756. Nutrition Science graduates carry a median of $26,572 in student loans. Early-career nutrition science graduates make about $28,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Benedict admits about 92% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.