Foods, Nutrition, at Stephen F Austin State University

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers tell a concerning story. Stephen F Austin's nutrition graduates start at just $26,168—roughly $10,000 below the state median and in the bottom quartile among Texas nutrition programs. While earnings eventually climb to $47,093 by year four (an impressive 80% jump), that first year represents a genuine financial hardship period. With $25,000 in debt and starting earnings that low, new graduates face nearly a full year's salary in loans.

The comparison to other Texas programs is particularly striking. Texas Woman's University graduates earn $46,000 from the start—essentially matching what SFA graduates reach after four years of career progression. Even nearby Texas State starts $10,000 higher. Given that many Texas students choose between these programs for in-state tuition, the earnings gap matters. The debt load itself isn't unusual for nutrition degrees, but combined with below-average starting salaries, it creates a tighter financial squeeze than at peer institutions.

If your child is set on studying nutrition in Texas, this program requires either strong conviction about the field or realistic planning for those lean early years. The eventual earnings recovery suggests career outcomes improve with experience, but you're looking at a rougher financial start than most Texas alternatives would provide.