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Food Science and Technology at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,062/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #19 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Food Science and Technology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $664K $653K $595K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 40% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,348
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,749
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,555
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cornell University Food Science and Technology graduates command $64,062/yr out of the gate, well above the $49,845 national median. That 29% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Food Science and Technology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,749 in median debt clears quickly against $64,062 in annual earnings.

A #19 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places Cornell University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 32% earnings increase from $64,062 to $84,555 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Cornell University

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Cornell University, reflecting elite selectivity, serving 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell University →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr
Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 25 schools offering Food Science and Technology →

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Kansas State University ($62,479) Iowa State University ($60,351) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($59,889) University of Massachusetts-Amherst ($59,547) Michigan State University ($59,342) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($56,274) University of Arkansas ($53,205) California State University-Los Angeles ($52,806)

Other Majors at Cornell University

Computer Science ($152,656) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($103,650) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($100,516) Operations Research ($96,377) Agricultural Business and Management ($92,163) Mathematics ($87,251) Chemical Engineering ($85,578) Mechanical Engineering ($85,440)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Food Science and Technology 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 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at Cornell University?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Food Science and Technology is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What do students actually pay for Food Science and Technology at Cornell University?
The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →