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Best Schools for Food Science and Technology

Food Science and Technology graduates earn a median of $42,954 within two years of graduation, ranking #105 out of 292 tracked majors — 21% above the median across all fields. There are 30 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 941 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Kansas State University graduates earn $59,045 while Mississippi State University graduates earn $21,508 — a $37,537 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Food Science and Technology graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

30
Schools
$42,954
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#105
of 292 Majors
941
Graduates

Public vs Private: Food Science and Technology

Public (28 schools)
$42,424
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (2 schools)
$50,387
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $7,963 more in early earnings on average for Food Science and Technology graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Food Science and Technology by State

California
4 schools
$44,122
Oregon
2 schools
$41,789
Kansas
1 schools
$59,045
Wisconsin
1 schools
$58,673
New York
1 schools
$52,733
Ohio
1 schools
$51,106
Arkansas
1 schools
$49,683
Minnesota
1 schools
$49,370

Top Food Science and Technology Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
K

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public

$59,045
2yr Earnings
1yr: $54,044
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 79.4%
#2
U

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

$58,673
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,564
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 43.4%
#3
C

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$52,733
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,489
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 8.2%
#4
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,002
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 29.8%
#5
O

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$51,106
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,777
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 50.8%
#6
U

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public

$49,683
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.7%
#7
U

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$49,370
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,584
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 77.0%
#8
U

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public

$49,175
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,674
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 57.8%
#9
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$48,667
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,124
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 73.7%
#10
D

Delaware Valley University

Doylestown, PA · Private

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,863
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 92.5%
#11
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$47,846
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,390
Grads: 35
Acceptance: 57.0%
#12
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $52,935
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 63.2%
#13
M

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$45,221
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,975
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 83.9%
#14
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$45,127
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,877
Grads: 84
Acceptance: 43.7%
#15
U

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 37.2%
#16
I

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,538
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 89.1%
#17
U

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.1%
#18
O

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

$41,789
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,600
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 78.8%
#19
O

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

$41,789
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,600
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 68.4%
#20
W

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$39,927
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.4%
#21
U

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,873
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 44.8%
#22
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$39,585
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,648
Grads: 103
Acceptance: 41.6%
#23
U

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.0%
#24
A

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$37,568
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,535
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 88.6%
#25
C

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$36,130
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,012
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 96.4%
#26
C

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$35,988
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,141
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 38.0%
#27
T

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$35,594
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,091
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 46.0%
#28
U

University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,820
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 95.7%
#29
U

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

$23,456
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,513
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 24.0%
#30
M

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,591
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 76.3%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Data Processing $43,979 Business/Commerce, General $43,616 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $43,592 Physics $43,473 Soil Sciences $43,329 Agricultural Business and Management $42,583

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Food Science and Technology?
Kansas State University ranks #1 for Food Science and Technology with median graduate earnings of $59,045 within two years. There are 30 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Food Science and Technology graduates earn?
Food Science and Technology graduates earn an average of $42,954 within two years of graduation. This is 21% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $21,508 to $59,045 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Food Science and Technology program?
The average acceptance rate across Food Science and Technology programs is 63.2%. The most selective program is at Cornell University with a 8.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Food Science and Technology?
Private Food Science and Technology programs average $50,387 in early earnings vs $42,424 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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