Food Science and Technologyat Oregon State University
Graduates earn $43,923/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Food Science and Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $560K; scenarios range from $518K to $564K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Oregon State University
Oregon State University's Food Science and Technology program produces graduates earning $43,923/yr — within striking distance of the $49,845 national average for this field.
With a 10.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Food Science and Technology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,945 in median debt clears quickly against $43,923 in annual earnings.
A #18 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places Oregon State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 40% earnings increase from $43,923 to $61,467 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Oregon State 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 Food Science and Technology
How Oregon State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Oregon State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Oregon State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Food Science and Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Food Science and Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University
What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University?
At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Food Science and Technology is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.