Nutrition Sciences at University of Florida

At $21,031 one year after graduation, University of Florida's nutrition sciences graduates earn just 69% of what similar program graduates make nationally—landing in the 5th percentile nationwide. That's a concerning gap for a selective institution (24% admission rate, 1397 average SAT). However, there's an important caveat: UF is the only school in Florida tracked for this program, making the state-level comparison meaningless despite its favorable 60th percentile ranking.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $17,182, graduates carry about $7,000 less debt than the national median for nutrition sciences programs. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 means new graduates face less than a year's salary in loans—manageable on paper, but only if earnings improve substantially. The real question is whether first-year earnings represent entry-level clinical positions that lead to better opportunities, or if this reflects a ceiling for bachelor's-level nutrition work in the region.

For parents investing in a competitive UF education, these numbers demand scrutiny. The low starting salary may reflect graduates pursuing additional credentials (like registered dietitian certification) rather than immediate employment, but that's speculation. Before committing, understand exactly what career paths these graduates pursue and whether the UF brand delivers meaningful advantages over less selective Florida schools that might offer similar outcomes at lower cost.