Nutrition Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The immediate post-graduation earnings of $18,122 look alarming at first glance—landing this program in just the 5th percentile nationally among nutrition sciences degrees. But here's the critical context: Tennessee has limited options for this major, and UT-Knoxville's program shows explosive earnings growth. By year four, graduates earn $44,785, jumping from well below the national median of $30,508 to significantly above it. That 147% growth rate suggests many graduates are navigating licensure requirements, internships, or credentials needed to practice as registered dietitians, which explains the depressed initial earnings.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable and typical for this field nationally. While the debt-to-earnings ratio looks high at 1.38, that's calculated against those artificially low first-year numbers. Against the four-year earnings, the ratio drops to a reasonable 0.56. For Tennessee families, this represents their primary in-state option for nutrition sciences—competing programs simply don't exist here for comparison.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary widely. If your child is committed to becoming a registered dietitian and willing to endure lean first years while completing supervised practice requirements, UT-Knoxville provides an affordable path to solid mid-career earnings. But if they're uncertain about the profession or need immediate earning power after graduation, understand that this degree requires patience before the financial payoff materializes.