Nutrition Science
When you understand what we eat—and how it can influence our health and other parts of our lives—you can start to influence change. This major is for students whose interests go beyond having a passion for food and cooking, and instead want to focus on nutrition as a science. It’s a program designed for people who like biology and chemistry, and are looking for a degree that can help them stand apart in a wide variety of fields. Whether you want to help people one-on-one or find ways to improve the health of entire communities, this is the place to start.
What will I learn?
As a nutrition science major, you'll learn about human health and science, including classes in biology and chemistry. You'll see how food and nutrition can help with disease prevention and managing chronic health issues. And you’ll explore evidence-based research about metabolism, energy expenditure and nutritional requirements, including how they change throughout our lifetimes. You’ll also have opportunities to take electives in nutrition counseling, neuroscience and other related topics. You can even choose to specialize in an area such as exercise science, public health or sports nutrition.
What can I do with a nutrition science degree?
As a nutrition science graduate, you may find yourself helping people, conducting research or consulting about food science, dietetics and nutrition in a setting like those listed here.
- Community center.
- Fitness-related organization.
- Food manufacturer.
- Food security group (such as a food bank or community garden).
- Food service organization.
- Government agency.
- Health-related non-profit organization.
- Hospital food service.
- Long-term care center.
- Outpatient center.
- Pharmaceutical company.
- Research institute.
- School or university.
Of course, many students choose to go on to graduate school and become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or get a degree in another health-related field, such as medicine or public health.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $87,060.00 | $41.86 | Rapid Growth |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $66,530.00 | $31.99 | Rapid Growth |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $72,450.00 | $34.83 | Rapid Growth |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,680.00 | $66.19 | Rapid Growth |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840.00 | N/A | Rapid Growth |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,440.00 | N/A | |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $73,700.00 | N/A | |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $106,030.00 | $50.98 | Rapid Growth |
| Dietetic Technicians | $95,840.00 | $46.08 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.