Food Science and Technology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Illinois graduates in Food Science and Technology face a challenging start but see their fortunes improve dramatically. That $41,150 first-year salary lands in just the 16th percentile nationally—surprising for a flagship university with a strong agricultural research reputation. The median debt of $19,000 is manageable, but the real story here is the 47% earnings jump to over $60,000 by year four, suggesting graduates need time to break into quality positions in food manufacturing, product development, or quality assurance roles.

The limited Illinois comparison (only two schools offer this program in-state) shows this program performs exactly at the state median, but that's not particularly reassuring given how far both trail the $51,883 national benchmark. For context, three-quarters of Food Science programs nationally produce graduates earning above $56,000 right away—$15,000 more than UIUC's first-year figure. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable, though outcomes for individual students will vary.

This program could work if your child is committed to the field and willing to accept below-average starting compensation in exchange for strong mid-term growth potential. However, if they're exploring options, know that most Food Science programs deliver stronger immediate returns without requiring graduates to wait years to reach competitive salaries.