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Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,923/yr (-12% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #18 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	$564K	$560K	$518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.5x	10.4x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	3.9x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	55	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,976

Out-of-state: $142,656 (3.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,272

-45% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,945

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,467

40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University's Food Science and Technology program produces graduates earning $43,923/yr — within striking distance of the $49,845 national average for this field.

With a 10.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% 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 — $20,945 in median debt clears quickly against $43,923 in annual earnings.

A #18 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places Oregon State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 40% earnings increase from $43,923 to $61,467 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Oregon State University

A 79% acceptance rate means Oregon State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 29,557 students in Corvallis, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State 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

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oregon State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University?

At 55/100, 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →