Food Science & Nutrition
What you'll do in college
Food science blends chemistry, microbiology, and engineering to understand what food is and how to make it safe, tasty, and shelf-stable. Nutrition tracks focus more on how the body uses food—biochemistry, metabolism, and clinical dietetics. Expect lab-heavy coursework: organic chemistry, food microbiology, sensory evaluation, and product development.
Many programs offer registered dietitian (RD) tracks with clinical rotations, and food science programs frequently partner with major food companies on capstone projects—developing a new cereal, beverage, or plant-based product. Internships at companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, or hospitals are typical.
What you'll do after college
Food science graduates work in R&D, quality assurance, and regulatory roles at food and beverage companies, flavor houses, and ingredient suppliers. Nutrition graduates become registered dietitians in hospitals, clinics, sports programs, and public health agencies, or pursue careers in food policy and wellness.
The field is recession-resistant—people always eat—and the rise of plant-based and functional foods has expanded opportunities. Pay is moderate in entry roles but climbs with experience, especially in product development and regulatory affairs.
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings vs. selectivity rank
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | 5yr Earn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Science & Nutrition | 259 | 8,120 | 21% / 79% | 5% | $59,738 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 70 | 1,210 | 17% / 83% | 4% | $56,248 |
| Nutritional Sciences | 16 | 866 | 19% / 81% | 6% | $63,917 |
| Food Science | 45 | 818 | 33% / 67% | 15% | $72,456 |
| Dietetics | 68 | 786 | 14% / 86% | 3% | $56,038 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 28 | 699 | 22% / 78% | 2% | $57,451 |
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 26 | 628 | 13% / 87% | 2% | $57,432 |
| Nutrition | 13 | 617 | 13% / 87% | 3% | $60,978 |
| Human Nutrition | 20 | 390 | 18% / 82% | 4% | $57,375 |
| Nutrition Science | 4 | 236 | 14% / 86% | 7% | $62,364 |
| Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise | 1 | 224 | 24% / 76% | 2% | $68,185 |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | 13 | 198 | 16% / 84% | 3% | $55,433 |
| Food and Nutrition | 3 | 132 | 6% / 94% | 2% | $48,488 |
| Culinary Arts | 7 | 128 | 57% / 43% | 5% | $40,916 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 4 | 115 | 12% / 88% | 4% | $58,418 |
| Nutritional Science | 2 | 113 | 21% / 79% | 12% | $64,936 |
| Nutrition and Food Sciences | 3 | 108 | 19% / 81% | 6% | $55,018 |
| Viticulture and Enology | 5 | 105 | 51% / 49% | 0% | $67,929 |
| Dietetics and Nutrition | 3 | 82 | 9% / 91% | 11% | $63,188 |
| Food Science and Technology | 8 | 79 | 43% / 57% | 6% | $71,542 |
| Baking and Pastry Arts | 4 | 75 | 8% / 92% | 5% | $40,623 |
| Culinary Science/Culinology | 3 | 61 | 51% / 49% | 15% | $47,925 |
| Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging | 1 | 54 | 26% / 74% | 4% | |
| Culinary Arts/Chef Training | 2 | 43 | 40% / 60% | 12% | $43,264 |
| Nutrition and Wellness | 5 | 38 | 26% / 74% | 0% | $54,665 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | 2 | 34 | 21% / 79% | 0% | $60,600 |
| Culinary Science | 3 | 33 | 39% / 61% | 6% | $37,554 |
| Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion | 1 | 30 | 13% / 87% | 0% | $53,084 |
| Agricultural and Food Products Processing | 2 | 25 | 52% / 48% | 0% | $93,173 |
| Fermentation Science | 1 | 23 | 26% / 74% | 9% | |
| Nutrition and Food Science | 3 | 20 | 10% / 90% | 5% | |
| Dietetic Technician | 1 | 16 | 12% / 88% | 0% | |
| Applied Culinary Arts | 1 | 15 | 53% / 47% | 7% | $47,925 |
| Dietetics, Nutrition and Food Sciences | 1 | 15 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $57,555 |
| Food Technology and Processing | 5 | 12 | 50% / 50% | 8% | |
| Foods and Nutrition | 1 | 12 | 17% / 83% | 0% | $55,448 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 2 | 11 | 55% / 45% | 0% | |
| Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness | 1 | 11 | 9% / 91% | 0% | |
| Clinical Nutrition | 1 | 11 | 9% / 91% | 0% | $54,583 |
| Brewing Science | 1 | 10 | 90% / 10% | 0% | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 1 | 9 | 89% / 11% | 0% | |
| Zymology/Fermentation Science | 1 | 7 | 57% / 43% | 0% | |
| Nutrition and Foods | 1 | 6 | 17% / 83% | 0% | |
| Agricultural Food Science | 1 | 5 | 40% / 60% | 0% | |
| Culinology | 1 | 4 | 50% / 50% | 0% | |
| Food Studies | 2 | 3 | 0% / 100% | 0% | |
| Food Safety | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | |
| Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics | 1 | 1 | 0% / 100% | 0% | $51,832 |
| Nutrition Management | 1 | 1 | 100% / 0% | 0% | $52,010 |