Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,728/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs Top 25%

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 $633K $621K $561K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.4x 13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.6x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,432
Out-of-state: $110,992 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,696
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,865
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,837
89% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,728/yr, edging above the $31,506 national average for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,865 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,728 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #5 of 38 nationally, this is a top-5% Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $63,837 show a 89% jump from the $33,728 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 18,887 students in Lincoln, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska-Lincoln →

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

Other Majors at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services field.
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 $560,940 in decade earnings vs $633,489 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 38 programs nationally, University of Nebraska-Lincoln lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →