Compare 10 Nutrition Sciences. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $45,912.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nutrition Sciences tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $30,042 to $54,178—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
The data puts University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities first, with Nutrition Sciences graduates earning $54,178. University Of Wisconsin-Madison follows at $52,882, with University Of Cincinnati-Main Campus third at $50,628. Against a $45,912 average, these programs prove regional publics can deliver top outcomes regardless of admission selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 8.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means graduates can pay off student loans with about 4 months of salary.
Highest program earnings: $54,178
Strong outcomes with 77% acceptance
8.5% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.3% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $54,178 | 68 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $52,882 | 66 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $50,628 | 8 | $21,250 | Good | $23,602 | Challenging | |
| #4 | College Of Saint BenedictPrivate | $50,626 | 20 | $26,944 | Manageable | $15,778 | Challenging |
| #5 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $50,439 | 33 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | High |
| #6 | $48,430 | 66 | $23,250 | Manageable | $37,401 | High | |
| #7 | $46,529 | 12 | $21,543 | Manageable | $19,500 | High | |
| #8 | $41,988 | 18 | $20,105 | Manageable | $13,626 | High | |
| #9 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $33,381 | 98 | $21,250 | High | $27,283 | High |
| #10 | $30,042 | 14 | $23,000 | High | $16,149 | 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 →
