Food scientist education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a food scientist?

You need a bachelor's degree in agricultural or food science to be a food scientist. The minimum educational requirement to be a food scientist is a bachelor's degree. Depending on the specific position you would like and where you would like to work, you may need a master's degree or even a doctorate. If you want to work in an entry-level job in the food science field, you will usually need only a bachelor's degree. Typically your degree should be in either agricultural science or food science. Jobs at the entry level include things like working in farming or food processing technology. The higher your level of education, the more opportunities you will have regarding where you can work. Research positions require you to have at least a master's degree. If you want to teach food science, you will need to have your doctorate.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a food scientist. Food scientists usually study food science, biology, or chemistry. 74% of food scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 460 real food scientist resumes to see exactly what food scientist education sections show.

The most common colleges for food scientists are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.

There are also many online food scientist courses to help get the education required to be a food scientist.

What education do you need to become a food scientist?

What degree do you need to be a food scientist?

The most common degree for food scientists is bachelor's degree, with 74% of food scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 5%.

Bachelor's, 74%

Master's, 17%

Associate, 5%

Doctorate, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a food scientist?

You should major in food science to become a food scientist. 50% of food scientists major in food science. Other common majors for a food scientist include biology and chemistry.

Food Science, 50%

Biology, 11%

Chemistry, 7%

Food And Nutrition, 7%

Other Majors, 25%

Most common colleges for food scientists

Food scientists often get their degrees at Ohio State University, Purdue University, and Michigan State University. Here are the most common colleges for food scientists in the US based on their resumes.

Food scientist common college	Percentages
Ohio State University	13.56%
Purdue University	7.63%
Michigan State University	6.78%
Kansas State University	5.93%
Oklahoma State University	5.93%

Show more common food scientist colleges

Best majors for food scientists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Food Science	50.1%
2	Biology	11.0%
3	Chemistry	6.9%
4	Food And Nutrition	6.6%
5	Nutrition Science	4.6%

Show more common food scientist majors

Best colleges for food scientists

The best colleges for food scientists are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A food scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for food scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become food scientists.

1. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

4. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

6. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,620

Enrollment

27,730

7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

8. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Enrollment

21,732

20 best online courses for food scientists

Advertising disclosure

1. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management

Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. There is a growing global need in agricultural production for a workforce that is capable of integrating knowledge of animal health and production with an understanding of consumer preferences in the context of...

2. Foundations of Sensory Science

Foundations of Sensory Science explores how to use human senses to evaluate a wide variety of food, beverage, and non-food products. This specialization is for anyone interested in understanding and deepening their appreciation of products that are experienced with the senses. This may include people interested in sensory science as a profession, consumer product entrepreneurs, chefs, employees of consumer product companies, and serious food and beverage hobbyists.\n\nYou will study both...

3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

4. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

5. Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems

Our society depends on the availability of food and accessibility to it. According to the United Nations nearly 800 million people are hungry and on the other hand, over 650 million people are obese. While many people in developing countries experience food shortage, in industrialized countries people are throwing food away. These facts show how paradoxical and complex the world’s food problem is. ln this course, more than 10 food researchers from Utrecht University will address the main issues...

6. Drug Development Product Management

Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are spending years and millions of dollars developing drugs or promising new biologics, all with the hopes of saving or enhancing patients’ lives. This specialization will provide you with a 30,000 feet view of the entire process of drug discovery and development. In the first course you will begin with learning how scientists go from selecting a drug discovery target to filing an Initial New Drug application. In the second course you will learn the...

7. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

8. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety

4.4

(618)

Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

9. Healthy and Sustainable Foods and Products

The effects of climate change have prompted individuals and institutions to evaluate their impact on our planet. In this specialization, learn how you and global companies can reduce the harmful effects of overproduction and overconsumption on our health and the environment using quantitative metrics and assessment methods.\n\nThis series will allow you to:\n\nAnalyze the health impacts of global trade and identify the steps needed to reach sustainable consumption. Assess the nutritional and...

10. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

4.2

(301)

Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

11. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals

4.6

(1,644)

Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...

12. Basic Food Photography

4.2

(1,349)

Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...

13. Eat Real Food: How to Eat a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet

4.5

(4,365)

Learn how to be a healthy vegan or vegetarian in a holistic way for best health, weight, and wellbeing...

14. Modern Food Recipes App - Android Development with Kotlin

4.7

(846)

Develop beautiful and fully functional Android App in Android Studio using the power of Kotlin programming language...

15. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen

4.7

(3,133)

With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...

16. Essential Non Technical Skills of Effective Data Scientists

4.4

(1,019)

Boost your Data Science Career by developing these crucial Non Technical Skills & become a Successful Data Scientist...

17. How to Shoot Food Photography: Complete Guide for Beginners

4.2

(330)

Food Photography basics, Composition, Lighting effects, Color Theory, Props and Styling...

18. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma

4.5

(3,019)

Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...

19. You Found It! Foodies Ultimate Food Photography Masterclass

4.9

(571)

Beautiful Food Photography with any smartphone, iphone or digital camera. See Progress Quickly. Fundamentals matter!...

20. Get to Know Your Food: Claims, Labels & Ingredients

4.4

(813)

Learn how to make the healthiest and best food choices amidst processed and packaged foods...

Top 10 most affordable universities for food scientists

The most affordable schools for food scientists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for food scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for food scientists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

9. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for food scientists

The hardest universities for food scientists to get into are Cornell University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for food scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for food scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for food scientists

The easiest schools for food scientists to get into are Barry University, adventhealth university, and life university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a food scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for food scientists.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

3. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

4. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

9. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average food scientist salary by education level

According to our data, food scientists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $82,552 annually. Food scientists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $71,533.

Food scientist education level	Food scientist salary
Master's Degree	$82,552
Bachelor's Degree	$71,533

Food scientist education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a food scientist?

What is the best college for Food Scientists?

Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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