Foods, Nutrition, at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

UNM's nutrition program graduates earn about $28,000 in their first year—roughly $4,300 below the national median for this field. The modest debt load of $24,000 keeps the financial picture from being dire, but you're still looking at nearly a year's salary in loans for earnings that fall in the bottom third nationally. It's worth noting this is literally the only nutrition program in New Mexico where we have earnings data, so that 60th percentile state ranking is essentially meaningless for comparison purposes.

The bigger caution here is the sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly with just a handful of different outcomes. That said, the pattern isn't encouraging even accounting for statistical noise. At $28,000 annually, your child would be earning less than many high school graduates in skilled trades, and the debt burden—while manageable—represents a significant chunk of early-career income in a field not known for rapid salary growth.

If your child is passionate about nutrition, this degree can open doors to dietetics or graduate programs. But purely as a financial investment, you're paying for credentials that lead to below-average starting pay in a field where the bachelor's degree is often just the beginning. Make sure there's a clear career path in mind beyond graduation, whether that's clinical work requiring further certification or moving into food service management where earnings potential improves.