Nutrition & Food Scienceat Benedictine University
Graduates earn $26,474/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Nutrition & Food Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $591K; scenarios range from $538K to $601K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Benedictine University
The outcomes for this program suggest a particularly competitive and demanding career path, requiring a strategic approach to maximize your investment. The "related services" aspect means graduates often enter diverse roles beyond clinical dietetics, like food service management or community health, where entry-level salaries can be constrained. Many of the most sought-after nutritionist positions, particularly in healthcare settings, require an additional master's degree and a Registered Dietitian (RD) credential, extending your education and delaying higher earning potential. The local labor market, while substantial, is highly competitive for these roles. To truly differentiate yourself, you'll need to aggressively pursue internships, network within the Chicagoland healthcare and food industries, and seriously consider the full educational pathway to your desired specialized role.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Benedictine University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Nutrition & Food Science
How Benedictine University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Benedictine University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Benedictine University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nutrition & Food Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Nutrition & Food Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Nutrition & Food Science at Benedictine University
How does Benedictine University's Nutrition & Food Science program score?
This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Nutrition & Food Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Nutrition & Food Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nutrition & Food Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Nutrition & Food Science earnings lower at Benedictine University?
Lower starting pay at Benedictine University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.