A big part of what constitutes our health is how we take care of our bodies, and a big part of how we take care of our bodies is what we put inside them. If you would like to help people become healthier by encouraging better food habits, then a career as a nutritionist or dietitian could be a great fit. But first, you will need a top-notch education.
With so many schools offering degrees in nutrition, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of strong nutrition schools around the world, complete with information on each school’s programs and degrees offered. Whether you’re interested in undergraduate studies or looking to pursue a Ph.D., here’s what you need to know when it comes to nutrition education abroad.
Top Nutrition Schools in the World
1. New York University
Founded in 1831, New York University offers nutrition-related programs through NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. The department works in two distinct but related areas of study: Nutrition and Dietetics, and Food Studies. Students gain practical and critical insight into the relationships among food, nutrition, culture, food systems, and health.
The department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics and Food Studies. Undergraduate options include the BS in Nutrition and Food Studies, the BS in Global Public Health/Nutrition and Dietetics, the BS/MS in Nutrition and Food Studies/Nutrition and Dietetics, and the BS/MPH in Global Public Health and Nutrition/Public Health Nutrition. Graduate options include MS degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics, an MA in Food Studies, a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Dietetics, and a Ph.D. in Food Studies.
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
As the first public university in the US, UNC is a strong institution for nutrition education and research. Its Gillings School of Global Public Health includes the Department of Nutrition, which is unique because it is situated in both a school of public health and a school of medicine. This structure helps students study nutrition through research, public health, medicine, and policy.
Undergraduate public health students in nutrition can choose between two tracks: Nutrition Science and Research, and Nutrition Health and Society. The department also offers an MPH with concentrations in Nutrition, Food Systems and Health or Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as an MS in Nutrition for students interested in research. The Ph.D. program develops students’ skills in research and teaching for careers in universities, government agencies, industry, and private research institutions.
3. University of Texas at Austin
Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with nutrition programs offered through the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences. Its programs help students explore the relationship between nutrients, food, biology, public health, and human health.
The department offers undergraduate degrees in Nutrition, including the BSA and BS. BS Nutrition students can choose from concentration options such as Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition and Public Health, International Nutrition, and Advanced Studies. Graduate options include the MS in Nutritional Sciences, an online MS in Nutritional Sciences, and the Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences. The school also lists an integrated BS/MS option for eligible students.
4. Ohio State University
Ohio State University offers nutrition programs through the College of Education and Human Ecology and its Department of Human Sciences. The university’s human nutrition programs are multidisciplinary and emphasize modern nutrition science, foods, diet, and the role of nutrition in health and disease.
Ohio State offers undergraduate options such as the BS in Human Nutrition with specializations in Dietetics, Nutrition in Industry, and Nutrition Sciences, as well as the BS in Health Promotion, Nutrition and Exercise Science. Graduate options include the MS in Human Nutrition, with specializations in Nutrition Research and Professional Studies, the Master of Dietetics and Nutrition, and the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Nutrition.
5. Texas A&M University
Founded in 1876, Texas A&M University is the state’s first public institution of higher education and a research-intensive university. Its Department of Nutrition was established in January 2020 from the former Department of Nutrition and Food Science, with the goal of expanding education and research in nutrition and health.
The BS in Nutrition gives students a foundation in biological and social sciences so they can understand relationships among nutrients, food components, and human health. Students can choose between two tracks: Didactic Program in Dietetics and Human Health. Graduate options include the Master of Clinical Nutrition/Dietetic Internship, the MS in Nutrition, the combined MS in Nutrition and Kinesiology, and the Ph.D. in Nutrition. The doctoral program allows students to focus on broad fields such as basic, molecular, and applied human nutrition.
6. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university with nutrition-related programs offered through the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. The department provides training in nutrition, physical activity, and health promotion, with programs available on campus and online.
The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise offers two majors: Exercise & Health Science and Nutrition & Dietetics. At the graduate level, the department offers an MS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, an MS in Nutrition and Dietetics, an online Master of Agricultural and Life Sciences option in Applied Nutrition and Physical Activity, and a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. The MS and Ph.D. in HNFE include options in Behavioral and Community Science, Clinical Physiology and Metabolism, and Molecular and Cellular Science.
7. Cornell University
As an Ivy League university, Cornell University is known for rigorous academic training and research. Its Division of Nutritional Sciences is affiliated with both the College of Human Ecology and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, allowing students to study nutrition through biological, social, public health, and agricultural perspectives.
The Division of Nutritional Sciences offers three undergraduate majors: BS in Human Biology, Health, and Society, BS in Nutritional Sciences, and BS in Global & Public Health Sciences. For students who want to pursue dietetics, the Nutritional Sciences major may also fulfill required didactic training in dietetics. At the graduate level, Cornell offers MS and Ph.D. degrees in Nutrition, with concentrations in Community Nutrition, Human Nutrition, International Nutrition, and Molecular Nutrition.
FAQs about Studying Nutrition
Are Nutritionists in Demand?
Yes. In the United States, employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. This demand is connected to growing interest in healthy living, preventive care, aging populations, and the role of nutrition in preventing or managing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Nutrition professionals may work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, public health, schools, food companies, sports settings, and private practice.
What Type of Nutritionist Makes the Most Money?
Income varies by credentials, location, work setting, years of experience, and specialization. In the United States, the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $73,850 in May 2024, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,760. Specialized clinical roles, consulting, management, outpatient care, and private practice may offer higher earning potential, but exact salaries differ widely by employer and region.
With the abundance of scientific research showing that what you eat can strongly influence your health, and with more people becoming health-conscious, a career as a nutritionist or dietitian can be rewarding. If you are looking for strong training and education in the field of nutrition, these universities are worth considering. And if you want to further expand your horizon, check out these best countries to study Nutrition abroad.
We hope that this article on the Best Nutrition Schools in the World was helpful. Make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.
