Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,631/yr (54% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Medium (10,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 37 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $524K $520K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 13.0x 12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,254
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,003
5% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $52,631 per year, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services graduates from Purdue University-Main Campus significantly outpace the $34,209 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 13.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,254 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #1 out of 37 programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $52,631 to $55,003 over five years (5% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Dietetic technicians $37,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Purdue University-Main Campus's Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services program score?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Purdue University-Main Campus rank so high for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services?
The #1 ranking out of 37 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →