Nutrition & Food Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,996/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #33 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs

Program Analysis

The outcomes for this program suggest a challenging path, largely influenced by the regional job market and the complex career landscape within food and nutrition. Many entry-level roles in food service management or community nutrition in smaller areas like Indiana, PA, may not require a bachelor's degree, leading to wage compression. While dietitian roles typically offer better compensation, they often require extensive post-graduate supervised practice and further credentialing, which this undergraduate degree alone doesn't fulfill. You might find yourself competing for roles in school cafeterias, local elder care facilities, or smaller food operations where advancement opportunities are limited without additional specialization or business acumen. If you pursue this path, focus intensely on securing robust internships or co-ops early to gain experience, and critically assess whether your career goals require further education beyond this bachelor's.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nutrition & Food Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $525K $522K $486K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.5x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.1x 8.0x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,520
Out-of-state: $65,188 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,864
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,020
92% growth from Year 1

About Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 6,893 in Indiana, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Food service managers $65,310/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Nutrition & Food Science at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nutrition & Food Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Nutrition & Food Science. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Nutrition & Food Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $23,996/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Nutrition & Food Science careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $486,075 in decade earnings vs $525,090 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Nutrition & Food Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →