Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at University of Mississippi

Ole Miss's nutrition program faces a challenging reality: graduates earn just $22,275 in their first year—a third less than the national median for this degree. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile within Mississippi, that's only because the state has just two programs total, and the comparison isn't particularly flattering. The national picture tells the real story: this program sits in the 12th percentile for earnings, meaning 88% of similar programs nationwide prepare students for better-paying first jobs.

The modest $22,500 in student debt keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 1:1, which is better than many healthcare-related fields. However, that low debt figure offers cold comfort when graduates are starting at poverty-line wages in a field that typically requires additional credentials. Dietetics careers often demand supervised practice hours and RD certification—meaning graduates may need to work low-paying positions before accessing better opportunities.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means one exceptional year could dramatically improve these numbers, or one bad year could make them worse. For families considering this path, understand that you're looking at several years of very modest earnings after graduation, likely while pursuing additional requirements. If nutrition is the passion, investigate whether the program adequately supports students through the credentialing process—that's where the real value will show.