Analysis
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.
Where San Diego State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all nutrition sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How San Diego State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Nutrition Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Diego State UniversitySan Diego | $8,290 | $34,878 | — | $18,000 | 0.52 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $35,161 | $64,929 | $16,182 | 0.46 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $34,512 | $53,852 | $14,166 | 0.41 |
 California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona | $7,439 | $34,384 | — | $17,250 | 0.50 |
 California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $6,813 | $31,096 | — | $14,493 | 0.47 |
 San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco | $7,424 | $30,620 | — | $17,137 | 0.56 |
| National Median | — | $30,508 | — | $24,020 | 0.79 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with nutrition sciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At San Diego State University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 93 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.