Nutrition & Food Science at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,601/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

Texas State's program in Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services truly stands out, reflecting the robust demand for skilled professionals in this growing field, particularly within the dynamic Central Texas economy. Being situated between Austin and San Antonio means you're at the nexus of major healthcare systems, rapidly expanding hospitality industries, and innovative food science companies like H-E-B. This broad "Related Services" focus allows graduates to pursue diverse paths beyond traditional dietetics, from corporate wellness and public health education to food product development and management roles within large organizations. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships early on in areas like clinical nutrition, community health initiatives, or food service management, as this hands-on experience and professional networking are crucial for securing top roles upon graduation.

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 $535K $531K $493K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.6x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.7x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,800
Out-of-state: $92,840 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,752
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,933
45% growth from Year 1

About Texas State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Texas State University prioritizes broad access, with 34,547 students enrolled in San Marcos, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas State University →

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

Other Majors at Texas State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nutrition & Food Science at Texas State University?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Nutrition & Food Science field.
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 $492,609 in decade earnings vs $534,548 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →