Compare 12 Nutrition Sciences. programs in the South. Average earnings: $40,867.
With top graduates earning $56,784, Nutrition Sciences stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $16K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Nutrition Sciences program leads with graduates earning $56,784, followed closely by Auburn University at $55,862. The average across 12 Southern programs is $40,867, yet these public institutions outperform expectations, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to elite schools.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. North Carolina State graduates borrow $20,121 and face just an 8.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Auburn offers similar earnings ($55,862) but with higher family debt loads, proving the best choice depends on your financial situation.
Highest program earnings: $56,784
Strong outcomes with 50% acceptance
8.1% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
18.7% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $56,784 | 95 | $20,121 | Good | $23,000 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $55,862 | 58 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #3 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $47,826 | 67 | $19,218 | Good | $13,471 | Challenging |
| #4 | $46,780 | 12 | $27,000 | Manageable | $25,775 | High | |
| #5 | $46,395 | 47 | $20,500 | Good | $25,645 | High | |
| #6 | $44,785 | 34 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | |
| #7 | $44,649 | 11 | $20,654 | Manageable | $31,890 | High | |
| #8 | $41,810 | 67 | $22,858 | Manageable | $14,638 | High | |
| #9 | $40,504 | 142 | $17,804 | Manageable | $32,258 | High | |
| #10 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $23,843 | 46 | $21,500 | High | $23,443 | High |
| #11 | University Of FloridaPublic | $21,031 | 122 | $15,000 | High | $18,837 | High |
| #12 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $20,140 | 87 | $18,500 | High | $20,855 | 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 →
