Entry Level Salary
$35,397
Median Salary
$70,000
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
26.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,800,000
Entry (Early)
$35,397
Median (Prime)
$70,000
High (Prime)
$70,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-137k
+162k
+162k
$25k / yr
-227k
+72k
+72k
$50k / yr
-317k
-18k
-18k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
29
$25k / yr
Never
40
40
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-209%
66%
66%
$50k / yr
-146%
-8%
-8%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate40.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Dietitians and nutritionists
20.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,000|$73,850
openings
6,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.5%
Registered nurses
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Physicians
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$194,712|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Management occupations
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,883
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Elementary and middle school teachers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Medical and health services managers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,600
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,772|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Pharmacists
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$9,004
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,000|$137,480
openings
14,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,403
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,238|$46,180
openings
74,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +11.9%
Food service managers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,433|$65,310
openings
42,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| nutrition sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 40 | $42,095 - $77,253 |
| nutrition sciences. | Post-bacc Certificate | 1 | $53,191 - $53,191 |
| nutrition sciences. | Master's Degree | 17 | $56,984 - $80,136 |
| nutrition sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 1 | Data N/A |
| nutrition sciences. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | $56,905 - $56,905 |