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Nutrition Sciences at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,122/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 47 Nutrition Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nutrition Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $659K $645K $580K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.0x 10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.0x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,914
16.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,505
195% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $18,122/yr fall 41% below the $30,533 national median for Nutrition Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12.0x 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 — 44% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,914 debt load exceeds a year of the $18,122 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #37 out of 47 programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's financial outcomes for Nutrition Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $18,122 to $53,505 over five years (195% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 47 schools offering Nutrition Sciences →

Nutrition Sciences at Other Schools

La Salle University ($47,470) Texas A & M University-College Station ($40,504) Seattle Pacific University ($39,317) University of Northern Colorado ($39,258) University of Hawaii at Manoa ($37,993) Metropolitan State University of Denver ($37,213) University of Nevada-Reno ($37,139) University of California-Berkeley ($35,161)

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Chemical Engineering ($76,302) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,316) Computer Engineering ($74,085) Industrial Engineering ($73,822) Nuclear Engineering ($73,724) Computer Science ($70,193) Mechanical Engineering ($65,756) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,298)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Nutrition Sciences program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Nutrition Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Nutrition Sciences graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Nutrition Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nutrition Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Nutrition Sciences earnings lower at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Lower starting pay at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →