2026 Best Value Food Science Technology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Food Science Technology master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 161 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Brigham Young University Provo this year in the United States. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school based in Provo, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $12,184. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,790 ten years after entry. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 68% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
You'll get strong value at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. Located 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. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $25,153. 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. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Out of the 161 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #3 spot. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $24,989 in debt. Median earnings reach $55,070 ten years out. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez one of the best values in the United States. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a public school based in Mayaguez, PR. In-state tuition and fees average $5,274. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $8,630. Median earnings reach $48,992 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%. Read the full report on University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $22,386. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,654 in student loans. Median earnings reach $90,768 ten years out. Set against $20,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 31% of those who apply are admitted. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Median earnings reach $73,792 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Cornell University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $15,750. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Cornell University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Iowa State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $26,254 in debt. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about Iowa State University
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read more about Texas Tech University
Kansas State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. That is a strong return on a $24,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. More on Kansas State University
Washington State University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $14,780. 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. More on Washington State University
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $25,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Michigan State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,097. 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
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Oklahoma State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,413 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
University Of Arkansas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $17,750. University Of Arkansas alumni report median earnings of $58,191 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Arkansas has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read more about University Of Arkansas
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,838 ten years out. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full University Of California Davis profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,050 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. Set against $21,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Food Science Technology students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,403 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick has an acceptance rate of 58%. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Georgia came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Clemson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,513. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Clemson University report
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $20,534. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Set against $20,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Food Science Technology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Utah State University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Utah State University profile
The University Of Tennessee landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $20,632. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Oregon State University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $20,945. Oregon State University alumni report median earnings of $64,010 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,945 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Oregon State University
University Of Idaho came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Based in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho has an acceptance rate of 76%. Get the full University Of Idaho report
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Median earnings reach $61,251 ten years out. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College has an acceptance rate of 73%. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. University Of Massachusetts Amherst Food Science Technology students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst alumni report median earnings of $71,631 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst has an acceptance rate of 60%. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,624. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa has an acceptance rate of 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,730 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Set against $24,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Maine came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $27,000. University Of Maine alumni report median earnings of $48,653 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Read more about University Of Maine
Missouri Southern State University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Missouri Southern State University
Linn Benton Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Linn Benton Community College profile
Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Allegany College Of Maryland
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Alaska Anchorage offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full University Of Alaska Anchorage profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #42 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Linfield College
Linfield College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Linfield College
College Of Western Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. More on College Of Western Idaho
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full College Of Southern Idaho report
Northern Arizona University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full University Of Maryland Eastern Shore report
Western Michigan University placed #49 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Read more about Western Michigan University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus profile
Related Food Science Technology Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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