2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Food Science Technology doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 161 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Food Science Technology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found North Dakota State University Main Campus to be the best-value Food Science Technology school in the United States. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Food Science Technology students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Median earnings reach $62,203 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln alumni report median earnings of $56,887 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
You'll get strong value at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $19,844. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on this year's best-value Food Science Technology ranking in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $21,813. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,792 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornell University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. Read the full report on Cornell University
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $24,844 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,262 ten years after entry. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Kansas State University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #7 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Iowa State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $26,254. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Iowa State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $21,000. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Arkansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,191 ten years out. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. University Of California Davis alumni report median earnings of $80,838 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants. See the full University Of California Davis profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #13 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $21,050. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,020. Set against $21,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #15 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. University Of Missouri Columbia alumni report median earnings of $63,403 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Washington State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Based in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,780 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,905. Set against $14,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Washington State University
Clemson University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants. Get the full Clemson University report
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,534 in student loans. Ohio State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $60,409 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $19,000. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign alumni report median earnings of $81,054 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $20,632. The University Of Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
University Of Idaho ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,670 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Idaho
Oregon State University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $20,945. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. Set against $20,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. See the full Oregon State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,631 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst has an acceptance rate of 60%. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Florida placed #24 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. University Of Florida Food Science Technology students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%. More on University Of Florida
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #25 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Food Science Technology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $24,730. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants. Get the full University Of Maine report
Delaware Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Delaware Valley College report
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar report
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #30 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. More on Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Mesa State College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Mesa State College report
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read more about University Of Maryland Eastern Shore
Hartnell College
Hartnell College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Hartnell College
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read more about Wisconsin Lutheran College
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Central New Mexico Community College placed #36 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Central New Mexico Community College
Yakima Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Yakima Valley Community College
College Of Southern Idaho ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read more about College Of Southern Idaho
New Mexico State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Main Campus
Mt San Jacinto Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on Mt San Jacinto Community College District
University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read the full report on Ohio University Main Campus
Blackhawk Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Blackhawk Technical College
Schenectady County Community College placed #44 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. More on Schenectady County Community College
Regis University
Regis University landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Regis University
Dakota County Technical College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Dakota County Technical College
Lakeland College
Lakeland College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Lakeland College
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Missouri State University West Plains
Hocking College
Hocking College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. See the full Hocking College profile
Related Food Science Technology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Food Science Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Food Science Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Science Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Science Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Science Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Science Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Science Technology Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 161 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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