Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition is a specialized field focused on the science of food and its impact on human health, particularly in medical and clinical settings. This program prepares students to assess, plan, and implement nutritional interventions that support disease prevention, recovery, and overall well-being. Graduates are equipped to work in healthcare environments where precise nutritional management is critical.
- Advanced Human Nutrition: Explores the biochemical and physiological roles of macronutrients and micronutrients in maintaining health and treating metabolic disorders.
- Clinical Nutrition Assessment: Teaches methods for evaluating patient nutritional status through medical history, laboratory data, and physical examination.
- Medical Nutrition Therapy: Focuses on developing individualized dietary plans for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and renal disorders.
- Foodservice Systems Management: Covers the operational aspects of managing large-scale food service in hospitals and healthcare facilities, including safety, cost control, and regulatory compliance.
- Nutrition Across the Lifespan: Examines nutritional needs and challenges at different life stages, from infancy through geriatric care.
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Emphasizes the evaluation and application of current scientific research to inform clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition degrees, including Dietitians and Nutritionists. 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 76,570 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 |
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $60,740 in Arkansas to $93,640 in California—a 54% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 76,570 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 and Clinical Nutrition by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition 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 and Clinical Nutrition is found at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) (106 graduates), CUNY Brooklyn College (85 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (50 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (36 graduates), and Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 465 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
106 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | muih.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
|
85 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Master's
|
50 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
|
36 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
28 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
19 | Morristown, New Jersey | Private | steu.edu |
| Immaculata University |
Master's
|
19 | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | Private | immaculata.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
16 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Rochester, Minnesota | Private | college.mayo.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Master's
|
9 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| Nicholls State University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Thibodaux, Louisiana | Public | nicholls.edu |
| Andrews University |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| University of Cincinnati |
Associate's
|
2 | Blue Ash, Ohio | Public | ucblueash.edu |
| King's College |
Master's
|
2 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | kings.edu |
| North Shore Community College (NSCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Danvers, Massachusetts | Public | northshore.edu |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| Marywood University |
Master's
|
1 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | marywood.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition programs
How much can I earn with a Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition degree?
Salaries for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition graduates vary by role and location. Dietitians and Nutritionists earn a median of $73,850 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $93,640 compared to $60,740 in Arkansas. Approximately 76,570 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 and Clinical Nutrition programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) (106 graduates), CUNY Brooklyn College (85 graduates), and University of Rhode Island (URI) (50 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 and Clinical Nutrition growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 165 in 2010 to a peak of 549 in 2020, before declining slightly to 465 in 2023-24. This represents a 182% 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 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dietitians and Nutritionists. Related occupations employ approximately 76,570 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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