2026 Best Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Nutrition Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 169 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year in the United States. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
You'll be in good company at Tufts University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $17,074. Get the full Tufts University report
You'll be in good company at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #3 this year. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $21,850. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #4 on this year's Nutrition Science ranking in the United States. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. University Of Alabama At Birmingham Nutrition Science students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #5 on this year's Nutrition Science ranking in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of California Davis came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. University Of California Davis Nutrition Science students take on a median of $14,166 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,182 in student loans. More on University Of California Berkeley
Kansas State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $24,625 in debt. Get the full Kansas State University report
New York University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on New York University
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $23,608. Get the full University Of Kansas report
Texas Tech University placed #11 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. More on Texas Tech University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #12 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Nutrition Science students take on a median of $24,586 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $22,511. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $20,500. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Auburn University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full Auburn University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $23,258. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Drexel University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. More on Drexel University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #19 in this year's ranking. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $22,386. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #20 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $20,778. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Georgia came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,710 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Texas Womans University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $28,211. More on Texas Womans University
University Of Vermont did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. University Of Vermont posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $19,500. Read more about University Of Vermont
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Best Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $26,656. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
University Of Arizona placed #28 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. University Of Arizona Nutrition Science students take on a median of $23,563 in debt. More on University Of Arizona
University Of Florida landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $17,182. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Kentucky landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $24,094. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Massachusetts Amherst did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Amherst, MA. University Of Massachusetts Amherst posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $23,791. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $25,000. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
University Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $27,000. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
University Of Delaware came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, DE. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,861. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Mississippi State University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Get the full Mississippi State University report
Utah State University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Utah State University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $16,191 in debt. Read the full report on Utah State University
University Of Memphis landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Memphis
Oakland University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Oakland University report
Black River Technical College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. Read the full report on Black River Technical College
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. Get the full University Of Central Arkansas report
Casper College
Casper College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. See the full Casper College profile
Texas Christian University placed #41 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. More on Texas Christian University
Universidad Ana G Mendez did well this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Universidad Ana G Mendez
Itawamba Community College placed #43 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. See the full Itawamba Community College profile
Oregon State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read more about Oregon State University
Dominican University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. Read the full report on Dominican University
Central Washington University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Central Washington University
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #47 among Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Get the full Long Island University C W Post Campus report
Ohio University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Ohio University Main Campus
La Salle University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full La Salle University profile
California State University Chico ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nutrition Science schools. See the full California State University Chico profile
Related Nutrition Science Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Nutrition Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Nutrition Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nutrition Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nutrition Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Nutrition Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Nutrition Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Nutrition Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 169 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).