Analysis
Metropolitan State's Nutrition Sciences program stands out nationally but faces stiffer competition closer to home. Graduates earn $37,213 initially, placing them in the 93rd percentile among nutrition programs nationwide—a significant premium over the national median of $30,508. However, in Colorado's small field of three programs, MSU Denver sits in the middle at the 60th percentile, trailing University of Northern Colorado by about $2,000 annually.
The financial picture is surprisingly favorable for an open-admission institution. With debt of $26,750 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72, graduates face manageable repayment—especially considering the strong earnings growth of 22% by year four, reaching $45,546. The debt burden sits in the 17th percentile nationally, meaning 83% of similar programs leave students with more debt. For families concerned about accessibility and affordability, this combination of open admission and controlled debt is noteworthy.
The tradeoff here is straightforward: your child won't get the highest-earning nutrition science degree in Colorado, but they'll likely get in, graduate with reasonable debt, and earn well above what most nutrition graduates make nationally. For students who need flexibility or didn't have strong high school performance, this represents solid value in a field where many programs deliver far weaker outcomes.
Where Metropolitan State University of Denver Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all nutrition sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | $37,213 | $45,546 | +22% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $35,161 | $64,929 | +85% |
| Cornell University | $30,508 | $58,713 | +92% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $33,669 | $56,784 | +69% |
| University of Northern Colorado | $39,258 | $40,333 | +3% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Nutrition Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver | $10,780 | $37,213 | $45,546 | $26,750 | 0.72 |
 University of Northern ColoradoGreeley | $12,010 | $39,258 | $40,333 | $25,346 | 0.65 |
 Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins | $12,896 | $32,785 | — | $24,750 | 0.75 |
| 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver, approximately 35% 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 74 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.