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Food Science and Technology at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,341/yr (-51% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #23 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	$725K	$710K	$642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.7x	15.4x	14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.4x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,020

Out-of-state: $161,224 (4.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$62,360

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,015

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$69,427

185% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,341 place University of Maryland-College Park below the $49,845 national median for Food Science and Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 15.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% 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 $23,015 against $24,341/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #23 ranking among 25 Food Science and Technology programs places University of Maryland-College Park in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $24,341-to-$69,427 earnings arc over five years reflects a 185% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Maryland-College Park

A 45% admission rate makes University of Maryland-College Park accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 30,246 in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

Consider the Trade Route?

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 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Food Science and Technology at University of Maryland-College Park?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Food Science and Technology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is University of Maryland-College Park a good choice for Food Science and Technology despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Maryland-College Park's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →