Compare 5 Human Nutrition. programs in the West. Average earnings: $43,030.
The highest-earning Human Nutrition program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $23K earnings gap across 5 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Oregon State University's Human Nutrition program leads with graduates earning $50,824, well above the $43,030 average. University of Idaho follows at $46,694, while Utah State reaches $44,984. These regional publics demonstrate that specialized program strength trumps overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Utah State graduates borrow $14,340 and face just an 8.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Oregon State students earn more but carry $21,221 in debt with a 10.3% burden—still manageable for most graduates.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $50,824 | 41 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
| #2 | University Of IdahoPublic | $46,694 | 26 | $21,982 | Manageable | $21,162 | High |
| #3 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $44,984 | 11 | $14,340 | Good | $13,923 | Challenging |
| #4 | $44,668 | 139 | $19,500 | Manageable | $23,519 | High | |
| #5 | $27,978 | 30 | $18,450 | High | $13,000 | 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 →
