Food Science and Technology graduates earn $70,873 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,113 and $88,238. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Food Science and Technology is a focused area of study within Agriculture. Graduates typically earn around $70,873 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 162 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,181 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$51,887
Median Earnings · 4yr
$70,873
Colleges Offering
162
Graduates / Year
2,181
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,481
How Much Do Food Science and Technology Graduates Earn?
Food Science and Technology graduates earn $70,873 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,113 and $88,238. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $51,887 climbs to $70,873 by year four.
$51,887
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$70,873
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$70,537
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Food Science and Technology graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$54,11325th pct.
$70,873Median
$88,23875th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $70,873 against an estimated $69,924 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 78 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,181 students who complete Food Science and Technology programs each year, the majority (57%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
57%24%
Bachelor's57%
Master's24%
Doctorate10%
What Can You Do With a Food Science and Technology Degree?
Food Science and Technology connects to 6 occupations in the job market. Agricultural Sciences Teachers leads at $98,700/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
High school diploma or equivalent85,500 openings/yr7K employed nationally
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.
Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.
Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
Top Colleges for Food Science and Technology
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Food Science and Technology students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Food Science and Technology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Agriculture Programs
Food Science and Technology is one of 19 specializations within Agriculture. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Food Science and Technology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Food Science and Technology a solid option. The 4 strengths and 3 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $70,873 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $51,887 at graduation to $70,873 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.5% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 100,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Food Science and Technology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Food Science and Technology graduates earn?
Food Science and Technology graduates earn a national median of $70,873 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,113 and $88,238. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Food Science and Technology degree?
One year after graduation, Food Science and Technology degree holders earn a median of $51,887. That climbs to $70,873 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Food Science and Technology degree?
Food Science and Technology degree holders pursue careers including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, which pays a median of $98,700/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Food Science and Technology program take?
A Food Science and Technology bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Food Science and Technology?
162 colleges and universities in the United States offer Food Science and Technology programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Food Science and Technology degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $70,873 and an average net price of roughly $17,481/yr, a Food Science and Technology degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Food Science and Technology and Agriculture?
Food Science and Technology is a focused concentration within the broader Agriculture field. The Agriculture major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Food Science and Technology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Food Science and Technology graduates?
Employers hiring Food Science and Technology graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Food Science and Technology graduates?
With a median salary of $70,873, graduate study in Food Science and Technology can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Food Science and Technology graduates?
The job outlook for Food Science and Technology graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Food Scientists and Technologists is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Agriculture Programs
Other programs in Agriculture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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