Food Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at Western Michigan University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$51,883

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$20,973

Est. from national median (22 programs)

Analysis

Food science programs nationally cluster around $52,000 in first-year earnings, but Michigan graduates typically start closer to $59,000—a meaningful gap that Western Michigan's estimated outcomes don't reach. Michigan State, the only in-state program with published data, reports that higher figure, suggesting Western Michigan's food science graduates may lag their Michigan peers by roughly $7,500 annually out of the gate.

The estimated debt load of $21,000 is manageable by most standards, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that signals reasonable financial footing. Similar programs nationally carry nearly identical debt burdens, so the concern here isn't affordability—it's whether the program delivers the stronger earnings Michigan's food industry typically supports. That $7,000 earnings difference compounds over a career and may reflect variations in internship networks, industry connections, or curriculum emphasis.

For parents weighing this investment, the core question is why Western Michigan's estimated outcomes fall short of state norms when Michigan State sits just 90 minutes away. Before committing, verify current placement rates in Michigan's food manufacturing sector and starting salaries for recent graduates. If Western Michigan can't demonstrate competitive outcomes, the debt is reasonable enough to repay, but you'd be leaving significant earning potential on the table compared to the state benchmark.

Where Western Michigan University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Food Science and Technology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (3 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo	$15,298	$51,883*	—	$20,973*	—
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing	$15,988	$59,342*	$59,182	$25,000*	0.42
National Median	—	$51,883*	—	$20,945*	0.40

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Western Michigan University, approximately 25% 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 national median of 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.