Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,836/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #14 of 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs Top 50%

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 $462K $465K $443K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.7x 9.8x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 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)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,719
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,836/yr, edging above the $31,506 national average for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 9.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,719 debt-to-$37,836 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #14 out of 38 programs, The University of Alabama's Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Alabama's Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →