Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue graduates from this nutrition program earn nearly $53,000 right out of college—58% more than the national median and about $8,000 above Indiana's state median. While ranking in the 60th percentile among Indiana programs might sound modest, remember there are only four schools in the state offering this degree, and Purdue's outcomes substantially exceed the typical graduate's earnings.

The concerning detail here is the flat earnings trajectory. Most graduates see their income rise during those first four years of career building, but Purdue's dietetics grads actually see a slight dip from $52,631 to $52,007. This pattern isn't unusual in clinical nutrition fields where early-career positions in hospitals or healthcare facilities may not offer steep salary curves, but it's worth understanding before committing. The debt picture provides some relief: at $20,254, it's notably lower than both national and state medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38.

One important caveat: this data represents a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than these numbers suggest. For families weighing Purdue against other nutrition programs, the combination of strong starting salaries and lower debt makes this a solid choice, just don't expect dramatic salary growth in the first few years post-graduation.