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 schools 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, Grad Degree reviewed 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:
For return on investment, no school beat North Dakota State University Main Campus this year in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,203 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $22,386. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
You'll get strong value at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Food Science Technology students take on a median of $19,844 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on this year's best-value Food Science Technology ranking in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
You'll get strong value at Cornell University, which ranked #5 this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Cornell University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $15,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. See the full Cornell University profile
Kansas State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,262. Set against $24,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Kansas State University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Food Science Technology students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Iowa State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Iowa State University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $26,254 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Get the full Iowa State University report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $21,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $21,792. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. University Of Arkansas Food Science Technology students take on a median of $17,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,191 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $14,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #14 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $21,050. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,050 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $21,818. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,403. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Washington State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $14,780. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Washington State University
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $25,000. Median earnings reach $71,513 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read more about Clemson University
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Food Science Technology students take on a median of $20,534 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,534 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. 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. 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. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,632 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. That is a strong return on a $20,632 median debt. The University Of Tennessee has an acceptance rate of 42%. More on The University Of Tennessee
University Of Idaho placed #21 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. 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. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $23,844. Median earnings reach $54,670 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about University Of Idaho
Oregon State University placed #22 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Oregon State University Food Science Technology students take on a median of $20,945 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,010 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,945 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants. Read the full report on Oregon State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median Food Science Technology program debt is $25,234. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,631. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
University Of Florida placed #24 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $17,669. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Florida profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #25 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Food Science Technology students take on a median of $21,348 in debt. A decade after starting, 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%. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
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 placed #26 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete their Food Science Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Maine placed #27 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical Food Science Technology student debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,653 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. More on University Of Maine
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read more about University Of Maryland Eastern Shore
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Kalamazoo Valley Community College profile
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full College Of Southern Idaho profile
Cuesta College
Cuesta College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Cuesta College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Niagara County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Niagara County Community College profile
Walla Walla Community College placed #35 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. More on Walla Walla Community College
Normandale Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. Read more about Normandale Community College
South Mountain Community College placed #37 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. More on South Mountain Community College
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Napa Valley College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Napa Valley College
Alabama A And M University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. More on Alabama A And M University
Laramie County Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. More on Laramie County Community College
Kentucky State University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Kentucky State University
New Mexico State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
Cowley County Community College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cowley County Community College
University Of Delaware came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Delaware
Bucks County Community College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Bucks County Community College
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #47 among the best-value Food Science Technology schools in the United States. More on Central Lakes College Brainerd
Palo Alto College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Palo Alto College profile
Bay Path College
Bay Path College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Food Science Technology schools. See the full Bay Path College profile
Chemeketa Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Chemeketa Community College
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
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (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).
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.