Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at University of Delaware

University of Delaware's dietetics certificate is a rare Delaware option that pays off steadily, though you're looking at middle-of-the-pack starting earnings. At $49,170 in the first year—exactly the national median—your child won't launch ahead of other dietetics certificate holders. However, the 28% earnings jump to $62,887 by year four suggests the credential opens doors to better positions over time, likely as graduates complete supervised practice requirements and gain clinical experience.

The debt picture here is notably favorable. At $26,100, your child would borrow less than 95% of similar programs nationally—a significant advantage for a post-bac credential. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate owes about half of their first-year salary, manageable territory that allows for reasonable loan repayment while building a career. Being the only in-state option matters less here since dietetics certificates often require specific accreditation, and UDelaware delivers comparable outcomes to national peers at lower cost.

The catch: dietetics careers typically require additional steps beyond this certificate—supervised practice hours and the RD exam—before reaching full earning potential. That four-year earnings growth reflects this trajectory, but parents should budget for those interim months of lower-paid coordinated programs. If your child is committed to becoming a registered dietitian and needs the prerequisite coursework, this program gets them there without excessive debt while they navigate the profession's extended credentialing process.