Nutrition Sciences at University of Vermont

University of Vermont graduates in Nutrition Sciences start modestly at $33,389 but see impressive income growth, jumping 56% to $52,207 by year four—a trajectory that substantially outpaces typical nutrition programs. While the first-year salary sits just above the national median for this field, that four-year mark represents serious momentum in a profession where many graduates plateau early. The $19,500 debt load is notably lower than the national average of $24,020, making that initial salary more manageable than it might appear at first glance.

The context matters here: nutrition science generally isn't a high-earning field straight out of college, with the national median starting around $30,500. UVM graduates are already earning about $3,000 more than that baseline, placing them in the 68th percentile nationally. The 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than seven months of their first-year salary—reasonable territory for a health-adjacent field where credentials and experience often unlock better opportunities after a few years.

For families concerned about ROI in a helping profession, this program delivers a workable balance. The debt burden won't be crushing, and the earnings trajectory suggests graduates are successfully moving into dietetics, clinical nutrition, or related roles that pay meaningfully better than entry-level positions. Just understand that year one will likely require budgeting carefully while credentials and experience accumulate.