Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,693/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #29 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $534K $530K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.7x 19.6x 18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.4x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,080
Out-of-state: $82,344 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,728
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,753
116% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $20,693 per year, Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services graduates from Southern Utah University earn below the $31,506 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $11,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $20,693 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #29 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs, Southern Utah University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,753 show a 116% jump from the $20,693 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Southern Utah University

With 80% of applicants admitted, Southern Utah University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 9,533 in Cedar City, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Utah University →

Top Career Paths

Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Food service managers $65,310/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Utah University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Southern Utah University?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $491,882 in decade earnings vs $533,500 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services from Southern Utah University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →