What can you do with a master's in dietetics degree?

If you're looking for flexibility, master's in dietetics degrees provide this and more. Some graduates may work for government agencies, while others work for food companies to improve nutrition outcomes.

How much money can you make as a dietitian?

Dietitians and nutritionists earned a median salary of nearly $70,000 in 2023. Those working in outpatient treatment centers earned over $77,000, while those in hospitals earned around $73,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Best Master’s in Dietetics Programs

Learn about the best master’s in dietetics programs for 2024, including salary and career expectations.

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Updated May 1, 2024

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Earning a master’s in dietetics puts you at the forefront of health and nutrition, enabling you to work with clients, conduct research, develop training plans, and influence policy.

These programs typically take 1-2 years to complete, depending on the required coursework and whether you plan to study full time or part time.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for nutritionists and dietitians to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2023, faster than the average for all occupations.

Related Online Master’s Programs You May Be Interested In

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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In this Article

Best Master’s in Dietetics Programs of 2024

University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

$5,119

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,778

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

59%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,220

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,985

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

3,235

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,119

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,778

University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma City, OK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,119

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,778

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

59%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,220

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,985

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

3,235

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE4 yearCampus + Online

$9,207

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,379

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

16%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,340

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,510

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

3,750

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,207

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,379

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,207

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,379

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

16%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,340

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,510

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

3,750

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Florida International University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$911

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$2,003

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

64%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,566

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

54,906

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$911

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$2,003

Florida International University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$911

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$2,003

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,566

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

54,906

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$27,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,736

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,736

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

4,390

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,382

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,382

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,382

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

33%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,736

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,736

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

4,390

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$10,447

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$28,605

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,074

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,441

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

31,344

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,447

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,605

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,447

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,605

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

63%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,074

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,441

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

31,344

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD4 yearCampus + Online

$8,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,697

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,773

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,283

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

11,548

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,697

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,164

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,697

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,773

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,283

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

11,548

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$14,521

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,267

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,751

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,829

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

38,365

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,521

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,267

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,521

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,267

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,751

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,829

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

38,365

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,108

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,648

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

21,612

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,108

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,108

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,648

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

21,612

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$10,662

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$26,657

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

25%

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,616

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,746

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

44,134

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,662

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,657

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,662

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,657

Acceptance Rate

25%

Online Enrollment

58%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,616

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,746

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

44,134

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

35,823

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

85%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

35,823

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

What Can You Expect From a Master’s in Dietetics Program?

Master’s in dietetics programs include coursework in advanced topics, including metabolic systems, food composition and behavior, and research methods.

Most also include a capstone project, although students interested in research may decide to follow a thesis track and submit long-form original research.

These programs exist both online and in-person, creating flexibility for working professionals.

Program Snapshot
Factor	Master’s in Dietetics Program
Average Graduate Degree Tuition Cost (2021-2022)	$20,513
Length	2 years
Credits	30
Program Tracks	Master of science (MS), master of arts (MA), master of public health
Example Concentrations	Food science Culinary entrepreneurship Professional practice Medical nutrition Pediatric nutrition
Example Courses	Biostatistics Vitamin functions Metabolism Food systems

3 Benefits of a Dietetics Degree

Personal Fulfillment: Being a dietitian means helping people improve their lives through nutrition and education, making this a potentially rewarding career.
Above-Average Pay: Dietitians earned an annual median salary of $69,680 in 2023, over $20,000 more than the median salary for all occupations. The top 10% of dietitians earned more than $98,830 annually.
Flexibility: Earning this degree gives you flexibility to work for a company or start your practice. You can make the decision that best fits your lifestyle and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Master’s in Dietetics Program

Yes, a master’s in dietetics is worth it if you want to work closely with patients and have a passion for food science. A master’s degree is the entry-level education required to sit for the registered dietitian’s exam — the only pathway to working with patients in a clinical setting.

A master’s in dietetics provides advanced training that qualifies you for roles in private and public settings. You can also decide to work for yourself or an organization.