Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,303/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (306,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 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 $556K $550K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.7x 9.6x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,568
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,859
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,303 at Wayne State University come in 9% above the national median of $31,506 for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs.

A 9.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,568 against $34,303/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #16 ranking among 38 Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs places Wayne State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $34,303-to-$54,859 earnings arc over five years reflects a 60% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State 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 Wayne State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Wayne State University?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at Wayne State University?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →