2026 Best Value Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Nutrition Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 169 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree 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:
Our analysis found University Of Alabama At Birmingham to be the best-value Nutrition Science school in the United States. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. University Of Alabama At Birmingham Nutrition Science students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,501. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Texas Tech University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Nutrition Science ranking in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. Get the full Texas Tech University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $28,211 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Median earnings reach $56,544 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $28,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. More on Texas Womans University
You'll get strong value at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4 this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $21,850. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $15,117. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,200. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
The University Of Texas At Austin offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Nutrition Science students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,887. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas State University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $24,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Kansas State University
University Of Kansas placed #9 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $23,608. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. 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 offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $20,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $80,838. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of California Davis
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,182 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,446. Set against $16,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $24,586 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. That is a strong return on a $24,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Nutrition Science students take on a median of $26,656 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,160. That is a strong return on a $26,656 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $22,511. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $22,511 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Auburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,337. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%. More on Auburn University
University Of Delaware ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located 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. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $24,861. Median earnings reach $72,950 ten years out. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%. Get the full University Of Delaware report
University Of Georgia came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $24,710 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,543 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 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 average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $25,250. Rutgers University New Brunswick alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%. 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. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $20,778. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Tufts University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants. More on Tufts University
New York University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $21,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants. Read the full report on New York University
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Nutrition Science student debt is $28,838. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $84,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants. Get the full Drexel University report
University Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,472. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont has an acceptance rate of 65%. Read more about University Of Vermont
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nutrition Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Florida ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Nutrition Science students take on a median of $17,182 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%. More on University Of Florida
University Of Arizona placed #28 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $23,563. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,563 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Logan, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Utah State University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $16,191 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Utah State University
Mississippi State University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Mississippi State University Nutrition Science students take on a median of $23,969 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,513. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University has an acceptance rate of 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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $24,094. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #32 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,791 in student loans. Median earnings reach $71,631 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Nutrition Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee has an acceptance rate of 42%. More on The University Of Tennessee
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #33 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Nutrition Science students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $19,137. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of Connecticut placed #36 among the best-value Nutrition Science schools in the United States. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. The median Nutrition Science program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,997 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 52% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full Tulane University Of Louisiana profile
California State University Los Angeles ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. More on California State University Los Angeles
Viterbo University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Viterbo University
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ohio University Lancaster Campus
San Diego State University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full San Diego State University report
Texas Christian University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Texas Christian University
North Dakota State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Springfield College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Springfield College
Universidad Del Turabo ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Read the full report on Universidad Del Turabo
University Of Chicago came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Chicago
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nutrition Science schools. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Metropolitan State College Of Denver report
Baylor University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Baylor University
Related Nutrition Science Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 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 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).