Human Nutrition: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human Nutrition is a rigorous academic discipline dedicated to understanding how dietary intake influences physiological function, growth, and long-term health outcomes across the human lifespan. This program explores the biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which nutrients support bodily processes, with a focus on preventing and managing chronic diseases through evidence-based nutritional strategies.
- Cellular and Molecular Nutrition: Investigates how nutrients are absorbed, transported, and utilized at the cellular level, including the role of enzymes, coenzymes, and genetic expression in metabolic pathways.
- Metabolic Regulation: Examines the complex biochemical processes that convert food into energy and building blocks, covering carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism under both healthy and pathological conditions.
- Nutrition and Chronic Disease: Analyzes the links between dietary patterns, nutrient imbalances, and the development or progression of conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
- Life-Cycle Nutrition: Addresses specific nutritional requirements and challenges from prenatal development through infancy, childhood, adulthood, and aging, including considerations for special populations such as athletes and individuals with medical conditions.
Human Nutrition Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human Nutrition Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human Nutrition degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and 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 79,200 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists 29-1031 | $73,850 | $48,830 - $101,760 | 76,570 | $35.50 |
Human Nutrition Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $60,740 in Arkansas to $113,850 in California—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Hawaii, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 79,200 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 Human Nutrition by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 50 institutions offering Human 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 Human Nutrition is found at The University of Alabama (UA) (229 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (149 graduates), University of Bridgeport (UB) (76 graduates), University of New England (UNE) (61 graduates), and Ohio State University, Main Campus (50 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,095 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
229 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
149 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Bridgeport (UB) |
Master's
|
76 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Private | bridgeport.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
61 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
45 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
|
31 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Master's
|
25 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
24 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Master's
|
23 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Master's
|
14 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Master's
|
13 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Master's
|
12 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Cedar Crest College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Private | cedarcrest.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Schenectady, New York | Public | sunysccc.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
|
9 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Prairie View, Texas | Public | pvamu.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Master's
|
8 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Utica University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| Meredith College |
Master's
|
8 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | meredith.edu |
| Life University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Marietta, Georgia | Private | life.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Master's
|
7 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
6 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Simmons University |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Associate's
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
|
1 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human Nutrition programs
How much can I earn with a Human Nutrition degree?
Salaries for Human Nutrition 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 $113,850 compared to $60,740 in Arkansas. Approximately 79,200 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 Human Nutrition programs?
Currently 50 accredited institutions offer Human Nutrition degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Alabama (UA) (229 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (149 graduates), and University of Bridgeport (UB) (76 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 Human Nutrition growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 765 in 2010 to 1,095 in 2023-24. This represents a 43% 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 Human Nutrition degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Dietitians and Nutritionists, . Related occupations employ approximately 79,200 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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