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Food Science and Technology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
50
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,892/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 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 $536K $534K $497K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.8x 7.7x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 40% 33%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 50 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,956
Out-of-state: $144,004 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,076
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,754
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $51,892/yr, roughly in line with the $49,845 national median for Food Science and Technology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

A 7.7x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% 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.

At $26,754 against $51,892/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #21 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places Rutgers University-New Brunswick in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Rutgers University-New Brunswick

A 65% admission rate makes Rutgers University-New Brunswick accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 36,357 in New Brunswick, NJ.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-New Brunswick →

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

Cornell University ($64,062) 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)

Other Majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($87,594) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,598) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,448) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($80,060) Industrial Engineering ($78,501) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($78,177) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($72,259) Mechanical Engineering ($71,569)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Food Science and Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
At 50/100, 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 →