Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Dietitians and Nutritionists earn around $73,850. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $90,387 compared to $46,840 in Arkansas. Approximately 109,150 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 149 accredited institutions offer Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (231 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (168 graduates), and Lamar University (LU) (98 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,347 in 2010 to a peak of 2,986 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,264 in 2023-24. This represents a 32% 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.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Dietitians and Nutritionists, and Dietetic Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 109,150 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.