Food Science and Technologyat University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Graduates earn $59,547/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Food Science and Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $607K; scenarios range from $557K to $614K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
As a leading public research university, UMass Amherst gives you access to labs and faculty that are deeply connected to the modern food industry. The program's strength isn't just in agriculture; it’s in the science of product development, safety, and sensory analysis. This prepares you for high-demand corporate roles. You'll find graduates working in R&D for major New England brands like Ocean Spray or Gorton's, as well as national giants in the competitive Boston-to-New York corridor. The curriculum combines hard science with practical applications, creating a powerful recruiting pipeline directly into the consumer packaged goods sector. For a standout career, seek out an internship focusing on food safety and quality assurance; this specialization is a near-guaranteed path to a strong starting role with significant growth potential.
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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst'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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Food Science and Technology at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Food Science and Technology field.