Nutrition Science
Featured schools near , edit
Types of Degrees Nutrition Science Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many nutrition science graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.
Education Level | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Master’s Degree | 1,196 |
Doctor’s Degree | 182 |
Graduate Certificate | 118 |
What Nutrition Science Majors Need to Know
In an O*NET survey, nutrition science majors were asked to rate what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important in their occupations. These answers were weighted on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.
Knowledge Areas for Nutrition Science Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Skills for Nutrition Science Majors
A major in nutrition science prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Abilities for Nutrition Science Majors
Some of the most crucial abilities to master while a nutrition science student include the following:
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Nutrition Science Major?
People with a nutrition science degree often go into the following careers:
Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
---|---|---|
Biological Science Professors | 15.1% | $82,550 |
Dietetic Technicians | 9.3% | $27,140 |
Dietitians and Nutritionists | 14.6% | $60,370 |
Life Scientists | 9.0% | $78,190 |
Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 8.0% | $79,590 |
Natural Sciences Managers | 9.9% | $123,860 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of nutrition science majors is as follows:
Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
---|---|
Asian | 67 |
Black or African American | 41 |
Hispanic or Latino | 103 |
White | 771 |
International Students | 120 |
Other Races/Ethnicities | 94 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Nutrition Science. About 10.0% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- India
- Taiwan
- South Korea
How Much Do Nutrition Science Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
The median starting salary of students who graduated in 2017-2019 with a master’s degree in nutrition science was $48,055 per year. These stats come from the U.S. Department of Education. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $44,940 (25th percentile) and $51,893 (75th percentile).
One thing to note here is that not all of these people may be working in careers related to nutrition science.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $61,210 to $97,340 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to nutrition science. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Nutrition Science
Some degrees associated with nutrition science may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to nutrition science have obtained the following education levels.
Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
---|---|
Less than a High School Diploma | 5.8% |
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 13.1% |
Some College Courses | 1.3% |
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.0% |
Bachelor’s Degree | 19.2% |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 6.7% |
Master’s Degree | 12.3% |
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 0.7% |
Doctoral Degree | 23.2% |
Post-Doctoral Training | 16.7% |
Online Nutrition Science Programs
In 2020-2021, 147 schools offered a nutrition science program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
---|---|---|
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | 0 |
Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
Associate’s Degree | 5 | 1 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 17 | 5 |
Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
Master’s Degree | 95 | 15 |
Post-Master’s | 6 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 51 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Nutrition Science Worth It?
The median salary for a nutrition science grad is $83,600 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 110% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $874,000 after 20 years!
Top Ranking Lists for Nutrition Science
Explore Major by State
Alabama
California
District of Columbia
Idaho
Kansas
Maryland
Mississippi
Nevada
New York
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Utah
West Virginia
Alaska
Colorado
Florida
Illinois
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Missouri
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Oregon
South Dakota
Vermont
Wisconsin
Majors Related to Nutrition Science
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to nutrition science.
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By division, CSIRO under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |