2026 Best Value Food Nutrition Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Food Nutrition Services graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 272 institutions 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.
To arm you with the information you need, 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 Nutrition Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
South Dakota State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Food Nutrition Services graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Nutrition Services student debt is $24,989. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. More on South Dakota State University
Out of the 272 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #2 spot. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete their Food Nutrition Services program here. University Of Missouri Columbia alumni report median earnings of $63,403 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their Food Nutrition Services program here. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Arizona
You'll get strong value at Portland State University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. The median Food Nutrition Services program debt is $26,475. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read the full report on Portland State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #5 place in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. American University Food Nutrition Services students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $77,370. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants. Read the full report on American University
Case Western Reserve University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,608. Case Western Reserve University Food Nutrition Services students take on a median of $25,106 in debt. Median earnings reach $87,989 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
Auburn University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Auburn University Food Nutrition Services students take on a median of $22,803 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,337 ten years after entry. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. See the full Auburn University profile
University Of Maine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete their Food Nutrition Services program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Maine report
Syracuse University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Syracuse University Food Nutrition Services students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Syracuse University alumni report median earnings of $79,164 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Syracuse University
Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. The median Food Nutrition Services program debt is $11,091. Cuny Hunter College alumni report median earnings of $63,163 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Cuny Hunter College
Virginia State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. This public school is set in Petersburg, VA. Students from in state pay about $10,043 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Virginia State University Food Nutrition Services students take on a median of $29,010 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,543 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,010 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on Virginia State University
College Of San Mateo landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on College Of San Mateo
Columbia College Sonora placed #13 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. Get the full Columbia College Sonora report
Azusa Pacific University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Azusa Pacific University report
Front Range Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. More on Front Range Community College
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College placed #16 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. See the full Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
South Carolina State University placed #18 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. Read more about South Carolina State University
Carson Newman College placed #19 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. Read the full report on Carson Newman College
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full Glendale Community College Glendale Ca report
Montana State University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on Montana State University
Radford University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Radford University
University Of The Pacific landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of The Pacific
Kentucky State University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Kentucky State University
Bradley University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. Read the full report on Bradley University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Food Nutrition Services Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Mesa Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. Read more about Mesa Community College
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full North Carolina A And T State University report
Tuskegee University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Tuskegee University
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Cuny Lehman College
Chatham University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full Chatham University profile
Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College placed #31 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cabrillo College
East Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full East Carolina University profile
Los Angeles Southwest College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. More on Los Angeles Southwest College
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
George Mason University placed #35 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. Get the full George Mason University report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Johnson And Wales University Providence offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Providence
Butte College
Butte College placed #38 among the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools in the United States. See the full Butte College profile
Imperial Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Imperial Valley College
Framingham State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Framingham State University
Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Gateway Community College Phoenix profile
Gloucester County College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Gloucester County College
Harvard University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Harvard University profile
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Nutrition Services schools. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Mississippi Main Campus profile
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Canada College
Canada College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Canada College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Northeastern University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northeastern University profile
Related Food Nutrition Services Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Food Nutrition Services Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 272 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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