Food Science

CIP Code: 1.1001

A food science degree prepares graduates for careers in Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary, Food scientists and technologists, Food science technicians. 66 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
1,581
Colleges Offering 66
Avg. Career Salary $73,697
Top Career Salary $86,350

What Can You Do With a Food Science Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary

$86,350 +4.1% growth

Food scientists and technologists

$85,310 +6.5% growth

Food science technicians

$49,430 +4.8% growth
$73,697
Average Salary Across Careers
$86,350
Highest Paying Career
3
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Food Science

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in food science.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 67 A
2 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 48 A
3 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 129 B+
4 Clemson University Clemson, SC 86 B+
5 University of California-Davis Davis, CA 52 B+
6 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 48 B+
7 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 44 B+
8 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 44 B+
9 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 41 B+
10 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 36 B+
11 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 36 B+
12 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 30 B+
13 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 27 B+
14 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 26 B+
15 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 75 B
16 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 63 B
17 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 58 B
18 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 36 B
19 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL 35 B
20 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 31 B
21 University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 31 B
22 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA 30 B
23 Iowa State University Ames, IA 28 B
24 California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA 27 B
25 University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI 43 C+

Largest Food Science Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most food science graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 129 B+
2 Clemson University Clemson, SC 86 B+
3 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 75 B
4 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 67 A
5 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 63 B
6 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 58 B
7 University of California-Davis Davis, CA 52 B+
8 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 48 A
9 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 48 B+
10 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 44 B+
11 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 44 B+
12 University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI 43 C+
13 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 41 B+
14 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 36 B+
15 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 36 B+
16 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 36 B
17 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL 35 B
18 University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 31 B
19 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 31 B
20 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 30 B+
21 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA 30 B
22 Iowa State University Ames, IA 28 B
23 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 27 B+
24 California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA 27 B
25 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 26 B+
1,581
Degrees Awarded Annually
66
Colleges Offering Program
3
Related Careers

About Food Science

Food Science is a degree program offered at 66 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 1,581 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary, food scientists and technologists, food science technicians.

Program Classification

CIP Code 1.1001
Field (2-digit CIP) 1.
Category (4-digit CIP) 1.100

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Food Science degree?
A Food Science degree can lead to careers as a agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary, food scientists and technologists, food science technicians, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $86,350 annually.
How many colleges offer Food Science?
66 colleges and universities in the United States offer Food Science as a degree program. Each year, approximately 1,581 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Food Science?
The best colleges for Food Science based on Repit's ratings include Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Clemson University, University of California-Davis. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Food Science degree?
Graduates with a Food Science degree can expect average salaries around $73,697 in related careers, with top earners making up to $86,350. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.