Compare 9 Food Science. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $56,955.
Food Science programs produce graduates earning between $38,289 and $68,878—a $31K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 9 ranked programs in the Midwest, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison's Food Science program leads with graduates earning $68,878, well above the $57K regional average. Kansas State University follows at $62,746, while Ohio State delivers $61,283—proving that program strength varies significantly even among comparable institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates borrow $20,484 and face just a 6.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Kansas State achieves similar excellence at 7.3% burden, demonstrating that top Food Science programs remain easily affordable.
Highest program earnings: $68,878
Strong outcomes ($62,746) with 79% acceptance
6.1% payment burden | Excellent
15.7% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $68,878 | 29 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $62,746 | 41 | $21,250 | Excellent | $27,283 | Manageable |
| #3 | $61,283 | 35 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $60,641 | 99 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $59,558 | 32 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $59,332 | 52 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #7 | $59,182 | 27 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $42,682 | 70 | $21,000 | Manageable | $25,798 | High | |
| #9 | $38,289 | 11 | $20,500 | Manageable | $32,529 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
