Food Science and Technology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

UT Knoxville's Food Science and Technology program sits squarely in Tennessee's middle tier—ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—though with only three programs in the state, that distinction matters less than the national picture. Graduates start at $48,441, about $3,400 below the national median for this field, and see modest 11% earnings growth to $53,568 by year four. The debt burden of $20,632 translates to a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first year's salary.

The real consideration here is value relative to other options. At the 39th percentile nationally, this program underperforms most food science degrees elsewhere, though the gap isn't dramatic—we're talking about a few thousand dollars annually. For Tennessee residents paying in-state tuition at a flagship university, that tradeoff may be acceptable, especially given the reasonable debt load. Out-of-state students should weigh whether premium tuition makes sense when graduates earn below the national benchmark.

One critical caveat: the sample size is very small (under 30 graduates), so these numbers could swing significantly with each graduating class. If your child is genuinely passionate about food science and committed to Tennessee, the program offers a financially viable path. But if they're choosing between multiple states or disciplines, the below-average earnings suggest exploring alternatives—either stronger food science programs elsewhere or related STEM fields at UT Knoxville that might offer better returns.