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Food Science and Technology at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,631/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #17 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$530K	$528K	$492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.9x	14.8x	13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.2x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	55	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,580

Out-of-state: $127,068 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,724

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,921

4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $50,631/yr, roughly in line with the $49,845 national median for Food Science and Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Food Science and Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Food Science and Technology's typical career paths, with 32% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $50,631 far exceeding the $18,921 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #17 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh accepts 40% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 26,389 in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

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 Food Science and Technology at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

This program scores 55/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Food Science and Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →