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Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,414/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs

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 $752K $729K $642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 11.8x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.0x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,017
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,867
171% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,414/yr fall 19% below the $31,506 national median for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 11.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,017 against $25,414/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #20 ranking among 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs places Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,414-to-$68,867 earnings arc over five years reflects a 171% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

With a 57% acceptance rate, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is moderately selective, serving a student body of 30,435 in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 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

Compare this program → View all 38 schools offering Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services →

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Other Schools

Texas Woman's University ($46,399) Framingham State University ($41,932) University of Missouri-Columbia ($40,837) University of Delaware ($39,066) The University of Alabama ($37,836) Texas State University ($36,601) The University of Texas at Austin ($36,312) Montclair State University ($35,808)

Other Majors at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,432) Computer Engineering ($86,636) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,364) Construction Engineering ($82,627) Industrial Engineering ($82,437) Chemical Engineering ($82,382) Applied Mathematics ($82,275) Engineering Mechanics ($81,735)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University a good choice for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →