Foods and Nutrition Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in Foods and Nutrition Services prepare individuals for careers focused on the science, management, and delivery of food and nutritional services across diverse settings. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles of human nutrition, food safety, dietary planning, and service operations to support health, wellness, and effective food systems.
- Human Nutrition Science: Explores the biological impact of nutrients on the body, including metabolic processes, dietary requirements across the lifespan, and the role of nutrition in disease prevention.
- Food Safety and Sanitation: Focuses on regulatory standards, hazard analysis, contamination prevention, and compliance protocols to ensure safe food handling and preparation.
- Dietary Planning and Menu Development: Involves creating balanced, culturally appropriate meal plans tailored to specific populations, medical conditions, or institutional needs.
- Foodservice Management: Covers operational strategies for managing food service environments, including cost control, staffing, inventory, and quality assurance.
- Public Health Nutrition: Addresses community-based approaches to improving nutritional outcomes through education, policy, and outreach programs.
- Food Systems and Sustainability: Examines the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of food production, distribution, and consumption.
Foods and Nutrition Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Foods and Nutrition Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Foods and Nutrition Services 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 |
Foods and Nutrition Services 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 Foods and Nutrition Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 12 institutions offering Foods and Nutrition Services 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 Foods and Nutrition Services is found at Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (51 graduates), Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) (20 graduates), Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (12 graduates), Tuskegee University (TU) (11 graduates), and Andrews University (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 135 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) |
Master's
|
20 | Morristown, New Jersey | Private | steu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Tuskegee University (TU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Tuskegee, Alabama | Private | tuskegee.edu |
| Andrews University |
Master's
|
10 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
|
4 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Foods and Nutrition Services programs
How much can I earn with a Foods and Nutrition Services degree?
Salaries for Foods and Nutrition Services 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 Foods and Nutrition Services programs?
Currently 12 accredited institutions offer Foods and Nutrition Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (51 graduates), Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) (20 graduates), and Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (12 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 Foods and Nutrition Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 76 in 2010 to 135 in 2023-24. This represents a 78% 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 Foods and Nutrition Services 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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