Compare 8 Nutrition Sciences. programs in California. Average earnings: $37,241.
With top graduates earning $64,929, Nutrition Sciences stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $30K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University Of California-Berkeley's Nutrition Sciences program leads with graduates earning $64,929, significantly above the state average of $37,241. UC Davis follows at $53,852, while San Diego State produces graduates earning $34,878—demonstrating that UC programs dominate this field despite varying outcomes within the system.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 4.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it both the top performer and best value.
Highest program earnings: $64,929
Strong outcomes with 74% acceptance
4.2% payment burden | Excellent
14.8% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $64,929 | 97 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $53,852 | 166 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $34,878 | 112 | $15,000 | Manageable | $25,565 | High | |
| #4 | $34,384 | 110 | $16,000 | Challenging | $15,000 | High | |
| #5 | $31,096 | 68 | $13,000 | Challenging | $12,526 | High | |
| #6 | $30,620 | 57 | $15,371 | High | $19,732 | High | |
| #7 | $25,490 | 64 | $16,552 | High | $17,585 | High | |
| #8 | $22,675 | 60 | $18,500 | High | $35,000 | 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 →
