Foods & Nutrition graduates earn $54,945 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,143 and $70,678. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Foods & Nutrition is a focused area of study within Family & Consumer Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $54,945 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 265 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 4,014 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,286
Median Earnings · 4yr
$54,945
Colleges Offering
265
Graduates / Year
4,014
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,157
How Much Do Foods & Nutrition Graduates Earn?
Foods & Nutrition graduates earn $54,945 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,143 and $70,678. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $32,286 climbs to $54,945 by year four.
$32,286
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$54,945
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$55,659
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 Foods & Nutrition graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$39,14325th pct.
$54,945Median
$70,67875th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $54,945 and an estimated $84,628 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.4 years.
Based on outcomes from 122 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 4,014 students who complete Foods & Nutrition programs each year, the majority (57%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
57%30%
Bachelor's57%
Master's30%
Associate's9%
What Can You Do With a Foods & Nutrition Degree?
Foods & Nutrition connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Dietitian leads at $76,400/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
SpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.
Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
Top Colleges for Foods & Nutrition
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Foods & Nutrition students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Foods & Nutrition graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Foods & Nutrition is one of 8 specializations within Family & Consumer Sciences. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Foods & Nutrition program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Foods & Nutrition shows 3 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,286 at graduation to $54,945 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.5% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 10,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $54,945 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
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.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($39,143) and 75th ($70,678) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Foods & Nutrition graduates earn a national median of $54,945 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,143 and $70,678. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Foods & Nutrition degree?
One year after graduation, Foods & Nutrition degree holders earn a median of $32,286. That climbs to $54,945 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Foods & Nutrition degree?
Foods & Nutrition degree holders pursue careers including Dietitian, which pays a median of $76,400/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Foods & Nutrition program take?
A Foods & Nutrition 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 Foods & Nutrition?
265 colleges and universities in the United States offer Foods & Nutrition programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Foods & Nutrition degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $54,945 and an average net price of roughly $21,157/yr, a Foods & Nutrition 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 Foods & Nutrition and Family & Consumer Sciences?
Foods & Nutrition is a focused concentration within the broader Family & Consumer Sciences field. The Family & Consumer Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Foods & Nutrition-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 Foods & Nutrition graduates?
Employers hiring Foods & Nutrition graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Foods & Nutrition graduates?
The job outlook for Foods & Nutrition graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Dietitian is among the strongest-growth roles at +5.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Other programs in Family & Consumer Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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