Foodservice Systems Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Foodservice Systems Management equips professionals with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead complex food service operations within institutional environments. This program emphasizes the integration of nutrition science, regulatory compliance, and business management to ensure efficient, safe, and sustainable food service delivery across diverse settings.
- Human Nutrition: Explores the physiological and dietary needs of populations in institutional contexts, focusing on balanced meal planning and the role of nutrition in health outcomes.
- Food Safety and Sanitation: Covers critical protocols for preventing contamination, complying with health regulations, and maintaining safe food handling practices across all stages of service.
- Food Service System Design: Addresses the layout, workflow, and technological integration of kitchens and dining facilities to optimize efficiency and service quality.
- Procurement and Purchasing Management: Teaches strategic sourcing, vendor evaluation, cost control, and inventory management to support sustainable and budget-conscious operations.
- Personnel and Leadership Development: Focuses on recruiting, training, scheduling, and leading diverse teams within high-volume food service environments.
- Business and Financial Operations: Provides foundational knowledge in budgeting, cost analysis, revenue generation, and performance evaluation for institutional food programs.
Foodservice Systems Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Foodservice Systems Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Foodservice Systems Management degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Dietitians and Nutritionists and Food Service Managers. 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 1,959,150 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 |
| Food Service Managers 11-9051 | $65,310 | $42,380 - $105,420 | 244,230 | $31.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 35-1012 | $42,010 | $29,340 - $63,420 | 1,187,460 | $20.20 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 35-2012 | $36,450 | $26,800 - $48,320 | 448,260 | $17.53 |
Foodservice Systems Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,068 in Arkansas to $78,932 in California—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,959,150 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 Foodservice Systems Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 34 institutions offering Foodservice Systems Management 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 Foodservice Systems Management is found at Johnson & Wales University, Providence (71 graduates), Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Online (69 graduates), Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Charlotte (42 graduates), Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) (30 graduates), and College of the Albemarle (COA) (18 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 373 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University |
Bachelor's
|
71 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | jwu.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
69 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | online.jwu.edu |
| Johnson & Wales University (JWU) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | jwu.edu |
| Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Sanford, North Carolina | Public | cccc.edu |
| College of the Albemarle (COA) |
Other Award
|
18 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Public | albemarle.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
17 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| Halifax Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Weldon, North Carolina | Public | halifaxcc.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Mott Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Flint, Michigan | Public | mcc.edu |
| Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | Public | luzerne.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
5 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
5 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Other Award
|
4 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Residency
|
3 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Huntsville, Texas | Public | shsu.edu |
| Merced College |
Other Award
|
2 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Other Award
|
1 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Merritt College |
Other Award
|
1 | Oakland, California | Public | merritt.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Bridgeton, Missouri | Public | stlcc.edu |
| Sullivan County Community College (SUNY Sullivan) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Loch Sheldrake, New York | Public | sunysullivan.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Associate's
|
1 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | aguadilla.inter.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Foodservice Systems Management programs
How much can I earn with a Foodservice Systems Management degree?
Salaries for Foodservice Systems Management 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 $78,932 compared to $44,068 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,959,150 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 Foodservice Systems Management programs?
Currently 34 accredited institutions offer Foodservice Systems Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johnson & Wales University, Providence (71 graduates), Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Online (69 graduates), and Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Charlotte (42 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 Foodservice Systems Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,144 in 2010 to a peak of 724 in 2020, before declining slightly to 373 in 2023-24. This represents a 83% 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 Foodservice Systems Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Dietitians and Nutritionists, and Food Service Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,959,150 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.
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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