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Food Scientist Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a food scientist. Food scientists usually study food science, biology, or chemistry. 74% of food scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 460 real food scientist resumes to see exactly what food scientist education sections show.
The most common colleges for food scientists are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.
There are also many online food scientist courses to help get the education required to be a food scientist.
What education do you need to become a food scientist?
What degree do you need to be a food scientist?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Master's, 17%
- Associate, 5%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a food scientist?
- Food Science, 50%
- Biology, 11%
- Chemistry, 7%
- Other Majors, 25%
Most common colleges for food scientists
Food Scientist Common College  | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ohio State University | 13.56% |
| Purdue University | 7.63% |
| Michigan State University | 6.78% |
| Kansas State University | 5.93% |
| Oklahoma State University | 5.93% |
Best majors for food scientists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food Science | 50.1% |
| 2 | Biology | 11.0% |
| 3 | Chemistry | 6.9% |
| 4 | Food And Nutrition | 6.6% |
| 5 | Nutrition Science | 4.6% |
Best colleges for food scientists
The best colleges for food scientists are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A food scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for food scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become food scientists.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-State Tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
4. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-State Tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for food scientists
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1. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management
Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. There is a growing global need in agricultural production for a workforce that is capable of integrating knowledge of animal health and production with an understanding of consumer preferences in the context of...
2. Foundations of Sensory Science
Foundations of Sensory Science explores how to use human senses to evaluate a wide variety of food, beverage, and non-food products. This specialization is for anyone interested in understanding and deepening their appreciation of products that are experienced with the senses. This may include people interested in sensory science as a profession, consumer product entrepreneurs, chefs, employees of consumer product companies, and serious food and beverage hobbyists.\n\nYou will study both...
3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
4. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
5. Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems
Our society depends on the availability of food and accessibility to it. According to the United Nations nearly 800 million people are hungry and on the other hand, over 650 million people are obese. While many people in developing countries experience food shortage, in industrialized countries people are throwing food away. These facts show how paradoxical and complex the world’s food problem is. ln this course, more than 10 food researchers from Utrecht University will address the main issues...
6. Drug Development Product Management
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are spending years and millions of dollars developing drugs or promising new biologics, all with the hopes of saving or enhancing patients’ lives. This specialization will provide you with a 30,000 feet view of the entire process of drug discovery and development. In the first course you will begin with learning how scientists go from selecting a drug discovery target to filing an Initial New Drug application. In the second course you will learn the...
7. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
8. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety
Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...
9. Healthy and Sustainable Foods and Products
The effects of climate change have prompted individuals and institutions to evaluate their impact on our planet. In this specialization, learn how you and global companies can reduce the harmful effects of overproduction and overconsumption on our health and the environment using quantitative metrics and assessment methods.\n\nThis series will allow you to:\n\nAnalyze the health impacts of global trade and identify the steps needed to reach sustainable consumption. Assess the nutritional and...
10. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification
Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for food scientists
The most affordable schools for food scientists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for food scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for food scientists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,381
Cost of Attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,182
Cost of Attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Cost of Attendance
16,714
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,262
Cost of Attendance
14,046
5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-State Tuition
$4,094
Cost of Attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for food scientists
The hardest universities for food scientists to get into are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for food scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for food scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,471
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions Rate
10%
SAT Average
1,514
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,513
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for food scientists
The easiest schools for food scientists to get into are Barry University, adventhealth university, and life university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a food scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for food scientists.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,006
A
2. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
87%
SAT Average
1,016
3. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions Rate
94%
SAT Average
979
4. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
82%
SAT Average
983
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
994
Average food scientist salary by education level
| Food Scientist education level | Food Scientist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $82,552 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $71,533 |
Food Scientist Education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025