Food Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Median Earnings (1yr)

$41,150

16th percentile

Median Debt

$19,000

9% below national median

Analysis

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.

Where University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all food science and technology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	$41,150	$60,641	+47%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	$52,240	$73,350	+40%
Cornell University	$64,062	$70,212	+10%
Washington State University	$47,970	$66,745	+39%
University of California-Davis	$52,084	$65,196	+25%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Food Science and Technology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign	$16,004	$41,150	$60,641	$19,000	0.46
Cornell UniversityIthaca	$66,014	$64,062	$70,212	$15,750	0.25
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$62,479	$62,746	$24,844	0.40
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$60,351	$59,332	$26,254	0.44
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$59,889	$61,283	$20,534	0.34
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst	$17,357	$59,547	$63,063	—	—
National Median	—	$51,883	—	$20,945	0.40

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with food science and technology graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Batchmakers

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

$40,050/yrJobs growth:

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 51 graduates with reported earnings and 81 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.