Nutrition Sciences at Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University's nutrition sciences program outperforms the majority of similar programs nationally, with graduates earning more than 77% of nutrition science bachelor's recipients across the country. The starting salary of $34,726 matches the Texas median exactly, placing it at the 60th percentile statewide—solidly middle-of-the-pack among the state's seven nutrition programs. More impressive is the debt picture: at $28,211, graduates here carry slightly more than the national median, but the manageable 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means they owe less than a year's salary, and the strong 38% earnings growth to $47,826 by year four makes that debt increasingly affordable.

The tradeoff is straightforward—this isn't the cheapest option in Texas (Texas Tech graduates carry significantly less debt), but it delivers better earnings outcomes than most alternatives. For a program at a school with a 95% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, these results demonstrate solid career preparation in a field not known for high starting salaries.

For families comfortable with moderate debt levels in exchange for above-average earning potential and strong income growth, this program represents a reasonable investment. The debt burden is manageable from day one and becomes less burdensome as graduates progress in their careers.