Nutrition Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,122/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 47 Nutrition Sciences programs

Program Analysis

The earnings trajectory for Nutrition Sciences at UTK often reflects the regional labor market and typical entry-level roles for this degree. Many graduates find fulfilling work in clinical settings at local hospitals, community health centers, or public health departments across East Tennessee. These vital roles, while impactful for patient education and wellness, frequently start with more structured salary bands compared to highly specialized or corporate nutrition positions found in more expensive, larger metropolitan areas. The program likely prepares you well for these foundational roles, but advancing often requires further professional certification, like becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Consider pursuing this credential aggressively and exploring niches in sports nutrition, food science, or health administration to significantly broaden your professional scope and earning potential.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $659K $645K $580K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.0x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.0x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,914
16.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,505
195% growth from Year 1

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Nutrition Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Nutrition Sciences program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Nutrition Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Nutrition Sciences graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Nutrition Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nutrition Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Nutrition Sciences earnings lower at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Lower starting pay at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →