Foods, Nutrition, at Sam Houston State University

This Foods and Nutrition bachelor's draws on limited data, but the estimated starting salary of $36,312—derived from five Texas programs—equals the state median and significantly exceeds the national benchmark of $32,286. The real story emerges four years out, when actual reported earnings jump to $46,464, matching outcomes from Texas Woman's University, one of the state's respected nutrition programs. That trajectory suggests graduates find their footing in a field where entry positions often underpay relative to eventual career potential.

The estimated debt of roughly $21,000 creates a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about seven months of their first-year salary. This positions Sam Houston competitively within Texas—similar programs at UT Austin and Texas State produce comparable debt loads while Stephen F. Austin and University of Houston show notably different outcomes (higher and lower respectively). The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), which often correlates with students needing to manage costs carefully.

For families evaluating this program, the four-year earnings figure provides the most concrete evidence: it shows graduates actually reach solid mid-career footing. While the first-year estimate requires some faith in peer-program patterns, the debt burden remains reasonable enough that even if starting salaries come in somewhat lower, graduates shouldn't face unmanageable payments. This looks like a viable path into nutrition careers without the debt trap that plagues some allied health programs.