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Food technologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a food technologist. Food technologists usually study food science, biology, or business. 57% of food technologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 1,353 real food technologist resumes to see exactly what food technologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for food technologists are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.
There are also many online food technologist courses to help get the education required to be a food technologist.
There are certain food technologist certifications that you should consider. These food technologist certifications include Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
What education do you need to become a food technologist?
What degree do you need to be a food technologist?
- Bachelor's, 57%
- High School Diploma, 13%
- Associate, 13%
- Master's, 11%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a food technologist?
- Food Science, 41%
- Biology, 10%
- Business, 8%
- Culinary Arts, 5%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for food technologists
| Food technologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ohio State University | 9.74% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.09% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 7.79% |
| Johnson & Wales University | 7.14% |
| Purdue University | 6.49% |
Best majors for food technologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food Science | 41.2% |
| 2 | Biology | 9.9% |
| 3 | Business | 8.2% |
| 4 | Culinary Arts | 5.4% |
| 5 | Food And Nutrition | 4.8% |
Best colleges for food technologists
The best colleges for food technologists are Cornell University, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and University of Maryland - College Park.
A food technologist 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 technologists. 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 technologists.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
3. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
4. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
5. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
6. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$9,414
Enrollment
11,182
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
9. Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK • Private
In-state tuition
$9,019
Enrollment
20,323
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for food technologists
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. 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...
3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
4. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
5. 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...
6. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
7. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification
Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...
8. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety
Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...
9. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
10. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen
With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...
11. Basic Food Photography
Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...
12. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
13. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
14. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals
Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...
15. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
16. Brilliant Customer Service: How to Impress your Customers!
Enhance your customer support and truly differentiate yourself from your competition!...
17. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
18. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
19. [2023] Customer Service 2.0: Learn Digital Customer Service
Used by Chase®, Intel®, & more! Learn soft skills, social media customer service, diagnosing user problems, & more...
20. How to Shoot Food Photography: Complete Guide for Beginners
Food Photography basics, Composition, Lighting effects, Color Theory, Props and Styling...
Top 10 most affordable universities for food technologists
The most affordable schools for food technologists are University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, california state university - fresno, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for food technologists 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 technologists.
1. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
2. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
6. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
9. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Cost of attendance
17,885
10. Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK • Private
In-state tuition
$7,471
Cost of attendance
15,616
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for food technologists
The hardest universities for food technologists to get into are Cornell University, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and University of Maryland - College Park.
Some great schools for food technologists 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 technologists 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. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,339
3. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
4. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,345
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
6. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,336
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
60%
SAT average
1,303
9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,336
10. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,337
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for food technologists
The easiest schools for food technologists to get into are Life University, north dakota state university, and south dakota state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a food technologist 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 technologists.
1. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
2. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,170
3. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
4. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
5. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,123
6. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
7. Framingham State University
Framingham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
73%
SAT average
1,046
8. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,019
9. Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, IA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,219
10. Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,205
Average food technologist salary by education level
| Food technologist education level | Food technologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,617 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,029 |
Food technologist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025