Foods, Nutrition, at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's Foods and Nutrition program produces graduates earning $30,835 in their first year—slightly below the national median but exactly at Tennessee's state median for this field. The 60th percentile state ranking means this program outperforms half of Tennessee's nutrition programs, though the small number of in-state options (just five schools total) limits that comparison. More encouraging is the 19% earnings growth to $36,740 by year four, suggesting graduates build valuable career momentum after entry-level positions.

The debt picture is reasonable for this field. At $25,853, graduates carry nearly identical debt to both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a helping profession that typically doesn't command high starting salaries, this means graduates face about 10 months of gross income in debt—workable if they're committed to the field. The trajectory matters here: reaching nearly $37,000 by year four makes those loan payments increasingly manageable.

This program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid regional university: competitive preparation without standout earnings that justify higher debt. If your child is passionate about nutrition and dietetics work and plans to stay in Tennessee, MTSU provides adequate value. Just ensure they understand this career path requires patience—the financial payoff builds gradually rather than arriving immediately after graduation.