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Research food technologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a research food technologist. Research food technologists usually study food science, chemistry, or food and nutrition. 71% of research food technologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 97 real research food technologist resumes to see exactly what research food technologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for research food technologists are the Montclair State University and the Montclair State University.

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

What education do you need to become a research food technologist?

What degree do you need to be a research food technologist?

The most common degree for research food technologists is bachelor's degree, with 71% of research food technologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Doctorate, 6%
  • Associate, 3%

What should I major in to become a research food technologist?

You should major in food science to become a research food technologist. 30% of research food technologists major in food science. Other common majors for a research food technologist include chemistry and food and nutrition.

Most common colleges for research food technologists

Research food technologists often get their degrees at Montclair State University, Purdue University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for research food technologists in the US based on their resumes.
Research food technologist common collegePercentages
Montclair State University14.29%
Purdue University10.71%
University of California - Davis7.14%
Ohio State University7.14%
University of Illinois at Chicago7.14%

Best majors for research food technologists

RankMajorPercentages
1Food Science29.9%
2Chemistry10.4%
3Food And Nutrition9.0%
4Biology6.0%
5Business4.5%

Best colleges for research food technologists

The best colleges for research food technologists are Cornell University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A research 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 research 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 research food technologists.

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 Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

4. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

5. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

6. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

9. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

20 best online courses for research food technologists

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1. Market Research

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The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

2. Qualitative Research

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In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

3. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

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Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

4. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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4.4
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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

5. Market Research

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"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...

6. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management

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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...

7. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

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

8. Fun food safety and sanitation course

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

9. Psychological Research

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This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

10. Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems

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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...

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

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4.4
(618)

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

12. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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4.6
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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

13. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

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4.4
(452)

Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

14. Basic Food Photography

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4.2
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Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...

15. Research Methodology

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Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

16. How to conduct market research in startups and small firms?

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A-Z guide how to conduct market research, analyze your competitors as well as customers...

17. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen

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

18. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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4
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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

19. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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4.5
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Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...

20. Data Science:Data Mining & Natural Language Processing in R

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4.7
(387)

Harness the Power of Machine Learning in R for Data/Text Mining, & Natural Language Processing with Practical Examples...

Top 10 most affordable universities for research food technologists

The most affordable schools for research food technologists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for research 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 research food technologists.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

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. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

9. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

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 research food technologists

The hardest universities for research food technologists to get into are Cornell University, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for research 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 research 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research food technologists

The easiest schools for research food technologists to get into are Life University, bluefield college, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a research 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 research food technologists.

1. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

2. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

8. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

9. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

10. Clarke University

Dubuque, IA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,058

Average research food technologist salary by education level

According to our data, research food technologists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $77,524 annually. Research food technologists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $66,718.
Research food technologist education levelResearch food technologist salary
Master's Degree$77,524
Bachelor's Degree$66,718

Research food technologist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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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