Est. Earnings (1yr)
$34,726
Est. from TX median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,323
Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable nutrition sciences programs in Texas, graduates typically start around $34,726, with this program showing growth to $46,780 by year four. That 35% jump over three years suggests the field rewards experience, though you're still looking at relatively modest early earnings. The estimated $26,323 in debt creates a manageable but not negligible burden—about nine months of first-year salary.

The real question is trajectory. While the four-year figure beats the Texas state median by a healthy margin, nutrition sciences as a field tends to start slow. The national benchmark sits at just $30,508, meaning even the estimated Texas starting salary represents above-average positioning. For context, Texas A&M's nutrition graduates reportedly earn $40,504 early on, while Texas Tech's come in at $23,843—a wide range that highlights how much program quality and local opportunities matter.

With 43% of students on Pell grants and a 93% acceptance rate, University of the Incarnate Word serves a broad population in San Antonio. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 is reasonable for a bachelor's degree, but your child should understand they're entering a helping profession with modest initial pay. If they're targeting registered dietitian status or graduate work, these figures are just the beginning of the investment. If they're hoping to earn quickly after graduation, the four-year number matters more than the starting salary.

Where University of the Incarnate Word Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all nutrition sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of the Incarnate Word$46,780
University of California-Berkeley$35,161$64,929+85%
Cornell University$30,508$58,713+92%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$33,669$56,784+69%
Texas Woman's University$34,726$47,826+38%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Nutrition Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio$35,660$34,726*$46,780$26,323*
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$40,504*$21,850*0.54
Texas Woman's UniversityDenton$8,648$34,726*$47,826$28,211*0.81
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock$11,852$23,843*$24,250*1.02
National Median$30,508*$24,020*0.79
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with nutrition sciences graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

$73,850/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Geneticists

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

Biologists

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

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 the Incarnate Word, approximately 43% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.