Foods, Nutrition, at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

The dramatic earnings jump here—from $23,000 to $51,000 in just four years—tells an unusual story, though the very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly with more data. What's clear is that first-year outcomes lag badly: this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, with graduates earning about $9,000 less than the typical nutrition program graduate. However, by year four, those same graduates are earning well above the national median, suggesting either strong career progression or that many students pursue additional credentials or training after graduation.

The state context offers a reality check: Oregon has only three programs in this field, and this one matches the state median for both earnings and debt. The $25,000 debt load is manageable if students reach that $51,000 fourth-year mark, but families should understand there will likely be a lean first year or two. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.09 reflects that initial earnings struggle.

The small sample size is the critical caveat here—with so few graduates tracked, a handful of career paths could be skewing the data dramatically. If your child is considering this program, focus less on these specific numbers and more on understanding what career paths nutrition graduates from OSU-Cascades typically pursue, and whether those align with your child's goals. The trajectory looks promising, but you're betting on limited evidence.