Dietetics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dietetics is a rigorous, science-based discipline focused on optimizing health through evidence-driven nutrition strategies. Students gain expertise in applying nutritional science, behavioral principles, and biomedical knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate nutrition programs across clinical, community, and institutional environments.
- Human nutrition: Explores the essential roles of macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary patterns in supporting physiological function and long-term wellness.
- Nutrient metabolism: Investigates how the body processes and utilizes nutrients at the cellular level, including metabolic pathways and their implications for health and disease.
- Nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention: Focuses on using dietary interventions to reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
- Food service management: Covers the operational planning, coordination, and oversight of food production and delivery systems in healthcare, education, and public settings.
- Diet and nutrition analysis and planning: Teaches systematic methods for assessing dietary intake and creating individualized or population-based nutrition plans.
- Food safety and sanitation: Emphasizes protocols for proper storage, handling, and preparation of food to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations.
- Client education and counseling: Develops skills in communicating nutritional information effectively to diverse populations, supporting behavior change and informed decision-making.
- Regulatory and professional standards: Provides familiarity with national guidelines, accreditation requirements, and ethical practices governing the dietetics profession.
Dietetics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dietetics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dietetics degrees, including Dietitians and Nutritionists and Dietetic 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 106,520 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dietitians and Nutritionists 29-1031 | $73,850 | $48,830 - $101,760 | 76,570 | $35.50 |
| Dietetic Technicians 29-2051 | $37,040 | $28,280 - $53,440 | 29,950 | $17.81 |
Salary Comparison
Dietetics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,115 in Mississippi to $81,010 in Alaska—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Wyoming, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 106,520 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 Dietetics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Dietetics 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 Dietetics is found at Florida International University (FIU) (127 graduates), Illinois State University (ISU) (114 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (86 graduates), University of North Florida (UNF) (85 graduates), and Missouri State University, Springfield (83 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,844 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
127 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
114 |
SAT: 1010-1230 ACT: 22-27 |
Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
86 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
85 |
SAT: 990-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
83 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
77 |
SAT: 1060-1300 ACT: 20-28 |
Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
74 |
SAT: 1120-1340 ACT: 25-32 |
Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
69 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 20-27 |
Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
63 |
SAT: 1100-1270 ACT: 24-28 |
West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Bachelor's
|
61 | SAT: 860-1220 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| CUNY Bronx Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
|
58 | N/A | Bronx, New York | Public | bcc.cuny.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
|
56 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 21-28 |
Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Marshall University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44 |
SAT: 890-1130 ACT: 18-24 |
Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 |
SAT: 1190-1460 ACT: 27-34 |
West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
41 |
SAT: 1020-1210 ACT: 21-29 |
University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 |
SAT: 1290-1450 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 | N/A | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 |
SAT: 970-1180 ACT: 17-26 |
Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 |
SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31 |
Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
37 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Keiser University |
Bachelor's
|
36 | N/A | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | SAT: 1210-1470 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
32 |
SAT: 1000-1200 ACT: 19-26 |
San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | N/A | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| Viterbo University |
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1040-1380 ACT: 22-27 |
La Crosse, Wisconsin | Private | viterbo.edu |
| Abilene Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 |
SAT: 1060-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Abilene, Texas | Private | acu.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Postbac Cert.
|
28 |
SAT: 880-1110 ACT: 17-23 |
Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
28 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 26-31 |
Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
27 |
SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | N/A | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 850-1030 ACT: 16-21 |
Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | ACT: 19-26 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
24 | SAT: 1100-1320 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Master's
|
23 | N/A | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
|
22 | N/A | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
22 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | SAT: 890-1110 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Other Award
|
22 |
SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 21-28 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1045-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| Simmons University |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 26-31 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 910-1170 ACT: 18-26 |
Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 980-1100 ACT: 17-18 |
Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1230-1430 ACT: 27-33 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1250-1420 ACT: 29-32 |
Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | N/A | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| D'Youville University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | SAT: 885-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Private | dyu.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | SAT: 960-1190 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University |
Master's
|
20 | N/A | Hickory, North Carolina | Private | lr.edu |
| Logan University |
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 931-1038 ACT: 16-24 |
Chesterfield, Missouri | Private | logan.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1050-1200 ACT: 20-26 |
Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1195-1370 ACT: 26-31 |
Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 920-1145 ACT: 18-23 |
Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Framingham State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
18 | SAT: 1070-1255 | Framingham, Massachusetts | Public | framingham.edu |
| Mount Mary University |
Master's
|
18 | ACT: 16-24 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | mtmary.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
|
17 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 950-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27 |
Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | ACT: 19-27 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 970-1200 ACT: 18-23 |
Maryville, Missouri | Public | nwmissouri.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | N/A | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 940-1210 ACT: 17-24 |
Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 970-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Nicholls State University |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 928-1145 ACT: 18-24 |
Thibodaux, Louisiana | Public | nicholls.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1100-1290 ACT: 22-28 |
Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | N/A | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Meredith College |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1110-1260 ACT: 23-30 |
Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | meredith.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1050-1260 ACT: 20-26 |
Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1060-1290 ACT: 21-28 |
Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Private | obu.edu |
| SUNY Oneonta |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1090-1250 ACT: 23-28 |
Oneonta, New York | Public | suny.oneonta.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1050-1220 ACT: 21-28 |
Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 |
SAT: 1010-1220 ACT: 20-26 |
Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 950-1170 ACT: 19-26 |
Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Samford University |
Postbac Cert.
|
11 |
SAT: 1070-1260 ACT: 23-29 |
Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 940-1120 ACT: 19-25 |
Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 950-1200 ACT: 20-29 |
Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 980-1160 ACT: 18-25 |
Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1140-1410 ACT: 22-30 |
San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1140-1350 ACT: 25-30 |
Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Messiah University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 22-30 |
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | Private | messiah.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1040-1300 ACT: 19-26 |
Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1145-1350 ACT: 22-29 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 910-1110 ACT: 16-22 |
Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 940-1140 ACT: 19-25 |
Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) |
Master's
|
9 | N/A | Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uams.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 960-1210 ACT: 21-27 |
Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Madonna University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | SAT: 890-1120 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 21-28 |
Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 885-1110 ACT: 17-24 |
Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Marywood University |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1050-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 20-27 |
Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Master's
|
9 | ACT: 18-25 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dietetics programs
How much can I earn with a Dietetics degree?
Salaries for Dietetics graduates vary by role and location. Dietitians and Nutritionists earn a median of $73,850 annually, while Dietetic Technicians earn around $37,040. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $81,010 compared to $45,115 in Mississippi. Approximately 106,520 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 Dietetics programs?
Currently 145 accredited institutions offer Dietetics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Florida International University (FIU) (127 graduates), Illinois State University (ISU) (114 graduates), and Appalachian State University (App State) (86 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 Dietetics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,172 in 2010 to a peak of 3,687 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,028 in 2023-24. This represents a 5% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Dietetics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dietitians and Nutritionists, Dietetic Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 106,520 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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