Students who are enthusiastic about living a healthy life and want to help others do the same can use an online nutrition degree program to work as a dietician, nutritionist, health education specialist, or chef.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 7% (faster than average) for dieticians and nutritionists from 2022 to 2032, with a median annual salary of $69,680. This data also shows the field of health education specialists growing at 7% during these years, with a median yearly salary of $62,860.
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences must earn 120 credits, which takes about four years of full-time study. Meanwhile, graduate programs usually require 30-45 total credits and can be completed in one to two years of full-time study. These programs typically cover topics such as basic nutrition, health science, life span nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition communication, and sports nutrition.
Tuition costs for a nutrition science online degree will vary by school and degree level. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for undergraduate programs is $7,998 at public universities and $34,923 at private schools. Meanwhile, graduate students pay an average of $12,596 at public schools and $28,017 at private institutions.
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How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Nutrition degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 6 Accredited Online Nutrition Degree Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
University of Alabama
Intelligent Score: 98.31In-state: $10,780
Out-of-state: $30,250
In-state: $10,780
Out-of-state: $10,780
SAT: 1070-1330
ACT: 23-31
$385
Online
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120
Kansas State University
Intelligent Score: 97.87In-state: $9,375
Out-of-state: $25,251
In-state: $10,212
Out-of-state: $10,212
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$469
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
University of North Florida
Intelligent Score: 95.62In-state: $3,996
Out-of-state: $16,799
In-state: $8,570
Out-of-state: $8,570
SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 20-27
Resident: $105
Non-Resident: $562
Online
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120
University of North Dakota
Intelligent Score: 93.68In-state: $8,540
Out-of-state: $12,810
In-state: $11,060
Out-of-state: $11,060
SAT: 1000-1230
ACT: 20-27
$385
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
Arizona State University
Intelligent Score: 92.50In-state: $10,710
Out-of-state: $28,800
In-state: $11,720
Out-of-state: $11,720
SAT: 1100-1320
ACT: 21-28
$574
Online
Higher Learning Commission
120
Immaculata University
Intelligent Score: 91.56In-state: $26,900
Out-of-state: $26,900
In-state: $12,780
Out-of-state: $12,780
SAT: 990-1170
ACT: 17-23
$465
Online, On-Campus, Hybrid
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
126
How to Choose an Online Nutrition Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Many online nutrition degree programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as community nutrition, food science, nutrition education, and disease prevention.
If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for nutrition science online degree programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Ideally, your online nutritional sciences program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Not only can accreditation affect your eligibility for financial aid, but it can also impact your ability to get the necessary certifications and licenses to practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Other information to seek when researching nutrition and health degree programs includes:
- Are there any in-person requirements such as labs, internships, or clinical rotations?
- Who are the faculty members, and what are their qualifications?
- What support services are available to online students?
- Are there networking opportunities for online students?
To learn more about any nutrition program that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
You also need to collect information about the application requirements and deadlines for each of your options for earning a nutrition and health degree. Every nutritional sciences program has its own processes, but in general, students applying to a bachelor’s degree program will need to submit the following:
- Completed application and fees
- Official high school transcript or GED
- ACT or SAT test scores
- An essay or personal statement about your goals
- Letter(s) of recommendation
Most online master’s degree programs in nutritional sciences require:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher with transcripts from previous colleges
- Letter(s) of recommendation from professional and personal references
- GRE scores
- Resume or details of your employment history
- A personal statement or essay outlining your goals
Always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding the nutritional science program’s requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again.
Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your nutritional sciences program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some health degree programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Before selecting a school, confirm the total cost of its online nutritional sciences program (including fees) and what kind of financial aid resources are available. This aid can include scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, and military discounts.
It’s also essential for nutritional science students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use this information to determine students’ eligibility for need-based institutional aid and federal student loans. Many scholarships are also available for nutrition students from external organizations and agencies.
Students planning on working while earning an online nutrition degree should find out if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits. Talk with the school’s financial aid office if you have additional questions about how to pay for your nutritional health degree to ensure you don’t miss out on any possible assistance.
What Can You Expect From an Online Nutrition Degree Program?
Online nutrition degree programs vary based on the school. Still, students can expect their food and nutrition courses to cover topics such as community health, food science, the food industry, clinical nutrition, human health, disease prevention, personal wellness, and nutritional biology.
Students also study how cultural aspects and psychology influence our eating and how dietary choices contribute to one’s health. In addition, a nutrition degree examines how we digest, absorb, and metabolize foods and how nutritional needs vary at different life stages.
Your school might require an internship or several hours of fieldwork outside the classroom. If this presents a challenge because of your current employment or other circumstances, talk with an admissions counselor at the school.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online nutrition degree program
Community Nutrition
Students in a community nutrition course will analyze a specific population, screening and assessing nutritional needs and looking at related issues such as nutritional epidemiology, food assistance programs, nutrition monitoring, nutrition marketing, nutrition interventions, and community health. Expect to design a nutrition education program.
Human Nutrition
In a human nutrition course, students will learn what comprises a healthy diet according to evidence-based practices and guidelines. A course of this type also involves exploring micronutrients and macronutrients in food, how the body uses these nutrients, and their overall effect on health.
Perspectives on the Western Diet
This course drills down into the food system in the United States, looking at its inherent political, social, cultural, and ethical issues. Students learn about the history of the food industry, along with how the food system impacts human health, the environment, and society.
What Can I Do With an Online Nutrition Degree?
Career outlook
The skills and knowledge about food science, the food industry, and healthcare systems gained from this degree apply to career opportunities in community health education, mental health and wellness programs, non-profit organizations, and more. Growth in these fields, projected at 7% from 2022 to 2032, is driven by an increasing awareness of the influence of diet in preventive healthcare.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nutrition may qualify for roles such as registered dietician, nutritionist, or health education specialist. While not required for all roles, these credentials can help graduates compete for more specialized or advanced nutrition jobs in fitness, hospitality, and other industries.
- Dietitian — Assess and counsel clients on nutritional and health needs to improve their overall health or target specific concerns, such as autoimmune or heart disease.
- Median annual salary: $69,680
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New jobs projected: 5,600 per year
- Fitness instructor — Work with individual clients or small groups in gyms or other locations and provide personalized fitness plans based on their assessed fitness, skills, and goals. May also prepare nutrition plans to pair with fitness programs to achieve goals related to strength training, sports, or specific health concerns.
- Median annual salary: $46,480
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 14%
- New jobs projected: 69,000 per year
- Health education specialist — Promote wellness to individuals and communities through programs, materials, events, and other forms. Evaluate health needs and analyze data to improve the effectiveness of health programs and services.
- Median annual salary: $62,860
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New jobs projected: 6,600 per year
Online Nutrition Degree Programs Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online nutrition degree program?
The first step is to confirm the application requirements, deadlines, and process for any schools you consider applying to. Most schools accept online applications and digital submissions for other required materials. Students applying to bachelor’s degree programs may also be able to use the Common Application to apply to multiple programs at once.
Some schools accept applications on a rolling basis, while others have hard deadlines for specific start terms. Prepare early to ensure all your application materials are submitted on time.
How much does an online nutrition degree program cost?
Costs vary based on institutional and individual factors. For the most accurate information on how much tuition and fees are, contact the school directly. For undergraduate students, the average annual tuition ranges from $7,998 at public schools to $34,923 at private universities. Meanwhile, for graduate programs, the average annual tuition is $12,596 at public institutions and $28,017 at private colleges.
Students should also factor in other expenses like fees assessed by their college for technology, academic resources, technical support, and books.
How long does it take to earn an online nutrition degree?
The program length primarily depends on how many credits students need to earn for the degree. For example, a 120-credit bachelor’s program typically takes a full-time student four years to complete, while part-time students may require five to six years. For master’s degrees, credit requirements can range from 30-45 credits, which can be completed in one to two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study. Students who want to complete their degrees faster should check out accelerated programs, which condense required coursework into a shortened time frame, or degree completion programs, which allow students to transfer in previously earned college credits.
Is an online nutrition degree worth it?
A bachelor’s or master’s in nutrition equips students with advanced knowledge and understanding of food science, nutrition principles, and dietary guidelines. Besides offering personal advantages in your own preventative healthcare, this expertise is essential in the application of wellness programs and strategies meant to address health concerns.
Nutrition degrees also offer economic benefits — compared to those with only a high school diploma, who earn a median weekly pay of $899, individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree earn a median weekly income of $1,493. A master’s degree can further improve earning potential, with research showing that graduates earn $1,737 in median weekly income.
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