Nutrition Sciences at San Diego State University

San Diego State delivers strong outcomes for nutrition science majors, outperforming the national median by nearly $4,400 in first-year earnings while keeping debt 25% below the national average. At $34,878, graduates earn more than most nutrition programs nationwide and sit comfortably in the middle tier among California schools—essentially matching UC Davis outcomes but at a fraction of the admission selectivity and likely cost. The 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio means students owe roughly half their first-year salary, a manageable burden that typically allows for steady debt repayment.

The program's real strength becomes clear when you examine the full California landscape. Among 15 nutrition programs statewide, SDSU trails only the UC flagships and Cal Poly Pomona—all highly selective institutions. Given that 31% of students receive Pell grants, this school is clearly helping economically diverse students access good-paying nutrition careers without crushing debt loads. The $18,000 median debt is actually below California's state average for this major.

For parents weighing this option, SDSU's nutrition program represents solid middle-ground value: not the absolute highest earners, but strong returns with reasonable debt. If your student is interested in dietetics, public health nutrition, or food science, this program delivers competitive preparation without the lottery-odds admission of Berkeley or Davis.