Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,986/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.2x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $558K $552K $509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.3x 14.2x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 4.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 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)
$38,992
Out-of-state: $115,088 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,100
-80% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,070
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,986 track close to the $31,506 national median for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,986 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #12 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs, University of Arkansas scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $54,070 show a 69% jump from the $31,986 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 27,312 students enrolled in Fayetteville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas →

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

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Other Schools

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at University of Arkansas?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $508,710 in decade earnings vs $557,861 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →