Compare 10 Food Science. programs in the South. Average earnings: $51,482.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Food Science tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $37,568 to $67,514—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Georgia's Food Science program leads with graduates earning $67,514, well above the $51,482 average. University of Maryland-College Park follows at $63,809, while Tennessee-Knoxville reaches $53,568—proving regional publics compete with any institution when programs are evaluated individually.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Georgia graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 5.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $67,514 | 11 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #2 | $63,809 | 49 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $53,568 | 19 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #4 | University Of FloridaPublic | $50,884 | 9 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #5 | $50,631 | 15 | $20,121 | Good | $23,000 | Challenging | |
| #6 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $49,683 | 22 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | High |
| #7 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $48,279 | 60 | $21,500 | Good | $35,463 | High |
| #8 | $47,846 | 24 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #9 | $45,033 | 31 | $22,142 | Manageable | $25,567 | High | |
| #10 | $37,568 | 18 | $20,231 | Challenging | $21,919 | 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 →
