Foods, Nutrition, at Benedictine University

Benedictine's nutrition graduates experience a dramatic earnings trajectory that's unusual for this field—starting well below the national median at $26,474 but nearly doubling income to $47,277 by year four. That 79% growth rate suggests graduates may be entering the workforce in entry-level positions (dietetic internships or assistant roles) before moving into professional roles that require licensing. Within Illinois, this program sits exactly at the state median for both earnings and debt, ranking in the 60th percentile against the handful of other nutrition programs in the state.

The debt load of $26,675 is manageable relative to that fourth-year salary, but that first year presents real challenges—graduates earn barely enough to cover basic living expenses while carrying debt equal to their entire annual income. This pattern is common in nutrition careers that require supervised practice hours before full credentialing, but it means parents should plan for financial support during that initial year. The relatively high Pell grant percentage (39%) suggests Benedictine serves many students who may not have family safety nets during this transition period.

If your child is committed to becoming a registered dietitian and you can support them through a lean first year, the later earnings make this viable. But the small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift significantly with the next cohort. For a clearer picture, ask the program directly about their RD exam pass rates and job placement timelines.