Analysis
Kansas State's Nutrition Sciences program delivers slightly above-average outcomes for the field, with first-year graduates earning $33,381—nearly $3,000 more than the national median and landing in the 68th percentile nationally. The debt load of $24,625 sits right at the national median for nutrition programs, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. For context, graduates would need to dedicate roughly 9 months of gross income to pay off their loans, which is reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs.
The challenge here isn't the program specifically—it's the broader economics of nutrition science careers. Even top-performing nutrition programs nationally only reach about $34,400 in first-year earnings, meaning this field generally starts at modest salary levels regardless of school choice. Kansas State performs respectably within these constraints, outearning most peer programs. The state percentile data (60th) is less meaningful here since K-State is the only school in Kansas offering this bachelor's degree, making it both the best and only in-state option.
For families committed to nutrition science, this represents a solid path with controlled debt and slightly better-than-average earnings potential. Just understand that career advancement and higher salaries in this field typically require graduate education or specialized certifications beyond the bachelor's degree.
Where Kansas State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all nutrition sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Kansas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Nutrition Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kansas State UniversityManhattan | $10,942 | $33,381 | — | $24,625 | 0.74 |
 La Salle UniversityPhiladelphia | $35,570 | $47,470 | — | $28,628 | 0.60 |
 Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station | $13,099 | $40,504 | — | $21,850 | 0.54 |
 Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle | $38,814 | $39,317 | — | $26,323 | 0.67 |
 University of Northern ColoradoGreeley | $12,010 | $39,258 | $40,333 | $25,346 | 0.65 |
 University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu | $12,186 | $37,993 | $42,604 | $22,639 | 0.60 |
| National Median | — | $30,508 | — | $24,020 | 0.79 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with nutrition sciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kansas State University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 58 graduates with reported earnings and 80 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.