Foods, Nutrition, at Texas State University

Texas State's nutrition graduates start ahead of the pack—earning $36,601 in year one puts them at the 86th percentile nationally and comfortably above the state median of $36,312. More importantly, earnings jump 29% by year four to $47,206, trailing only Texas Woman's University among the state's dozen nutrition programs. That growth trajectory matters in a field where many graduates plateau quickly. The $23,354 in typical debt sits below the national benchmark and translates to a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The 60th percentile state ranking requires some context: Texas has relatively strong nutrition programs overall, so middle-of-the-pack here means outperforming 86% of programs nationwide. You're essentially getting above-average outcomes at an accessible state university with an 89% admission rate. The main competition is Texas Woman's at $46,399, but that $9,000 year-four earnings gap may not justify potentially higher costs or a different campus fit.

For a student interested in nutrition or dietetics who values both solid starting salaries and real income growth, this program delivers. The debt load won't anchor them financially, and the earnings progression suggests graduates are advancing into better positions rather than staying stuck in entry-level roles.