2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Nutrition Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 169 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $26,162. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,501. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
A rank of #2 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values in the United States. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Texas Womans University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Nutrition Science ranking in the United States. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Texas Womans University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $28,211 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,544. Set against $28,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Texas Womans University
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values in the United States. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
You'll get strong value at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,200. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15%. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $21,275. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #7 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Nutrition Science students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full Kansas State University report
University Of Kansas came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. University Of Kansas Nutrition Science students take on a median of $23,608 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $20,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. University Of California Davis Nutrition Science students take on a median of $14,166 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $16,182 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Median earnings reach $92,446 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $24,586. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,586 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $26,656. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,160. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #15 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Located 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. Graduates carry a median of $22,511 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Set against $22,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Auburn University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Auburn University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $65,337 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Auburn University has an acceptance rate of 46%. Read the full report on Auburn University
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,861. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,950. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Delaware
University Of Georgia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,710. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%. Read more about University Of Georgia
Colorado State University Fort Collins offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,750. Colorado State University Fort Collins alumni report median earnings of $60,543 a decade after entry. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Rutgers University New Brunswick offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,479 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Nutrition Science students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Tufts University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $17,074. Tufts University alumni report median earnings of $83,214 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Tufts University report
New York University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,509. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants. Read the full report on New York University
Drexel University placed #25 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Median earnings reach $84,648 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Drexel University
University Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $19,500. Median earnings reach $62,472 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants. Get the full University Of Vermont report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Florida ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,182 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. More on University Of Florida
University Of Arizona ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $23,563 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $23,563 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Arizona
Utah State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $16,191. 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. Get the full Utah State University report
Mississippi State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Based in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $23,969. Mississippi State University alumni report median earnings of $51,513 a decade after entry. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read the full report on Mississippi State University
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,094. University Of Kentucky alumni report median earnings of $59,025 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $23,791. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
The University Of Tennessee ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $25,000. 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 Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $19,137. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Texas Christian University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Texas Christian University profile
University Of Idaho placed #37 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. More on University Of Idaho
California State University Northridge ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. See the full California State University Northridge profile
California State University Long Beach came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on California State University Long Beach
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Read the full report on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Texas A And M University Commerce report
California State University San Bernardino came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full California State University San Bernardino report
Delta College
Delta College placed #45 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. More on Delta College
National Holistic Institute landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full National Holistic Institute profile
California State University Los Angeles placed #47 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Get the full California State University Los Angeles report
Howard University placed #48 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Howard University
Regis College
Regis College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Regis College
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
Related Nutrition Science Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Nutrition Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Nutrition Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nutrition Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nutrition Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Nutrition Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Nutrition Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Nutrition Science Master’s 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 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).
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