Food Science and Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Food Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food to ensure safety, quality, and innovation in food production. This program prepares students to address complex challenges in food systems by applying scientific principles to develop sustainable, nutritious, and scalable food solutions.
- Food Chemistry: Explores the molecular composition of food components, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and water, and how these interact during processing and storage.
- Microbiology of Food: Focuses on the role of microorganisms in food safety, spoilage, fermentation, and the development of probiotic and functional foods.
- Food Processing and Engineering: Covers unit operations such as heating, cooling, drying, freezing, and packaging, emphasizing efficiency, scalability, and product integrity.
- Nutritional Science: Investigates the impact of food composition on human health, including bioavailability of nutrients and the development of fortified or specialized dietary products.
- Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Addresses hazard analysis, risk assessment, quality control systems, and adherence to national and international food safety standards.
- Sensory and Consumer Science: Examines how consumers perceive taste, texture, aroma, and appearance, using data-driven methods to guide product development and optimization.
- Product Development and Innovation: Integrates research, formulation, and prototyping to create new food products that meet market demands, dietary trends, and sustainability goals.
Food Science and Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Food Science and Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Food Science and Technology degrees, including Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Food Scientists and Technologists and Food Science Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 37,270 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| Food Scientists and Technologists 19-1012 | $85,310 | $49,580 - $141,860 | 14,370 | $41.02 |
| Food Science Technicians 19-4013 | $49,430 | $37,760 - $75,100 | 14,200 | $23.76 |
Food Science and Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,580 in Connecticut to $107,170 in Montana—a 121% difference. The highest-paying states include Montana, North Dakota, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 37,270 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Food Science and Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Food Science and Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Food Science and Technology is found at University of California (UCD), Davis (31 graduates), Clemson University (23 graduates), Saint Louis University (SLU) (18 graduates), Oregon State University (OSU) (14 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (13 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 132 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
23 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
13 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Master's
|
6 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Lakeland University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Plymouth, Wisconsin | Private | lakeland.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Kentucky State University (KSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Frankfort, Kentucky | Public | kysu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Food Science and Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Food Science and Technology degree?
Salaries for Food Science and Technology graduates vary by role and location. Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $86,350 annually, while Food Scientists and Technologists earn around $85,310. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Montana average $107,170 compared to $48,580 in Connecticut. Approximately 37,270 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Food Science and Technology programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Food Science and Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCD), Davis (31 graduates), Clemson University (23 graduates), and Saint Louis University (SLU) (18 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Food Science and Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 23 in 2010 to 132 in 2023-24. This represents a 474% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Food Science and Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Food Scientists and Technologists, and Food Science Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 37,270 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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