Master’s in nutrition online programs are gaining popularity as more students seek flexible, affordable college degrees. These programs appeal to practicing clinicians, but community health professionals and healthcare managers are also jumping on board. The best online colleges for nutrition hold ACEND or AAFCS accreditation. They not only prepare students for a top-notch healthcare career with an excellent salary, but they also point students toward ADA certification.
However, the most significant deciding factor for all aspiring college students remains the same: cost! Due to their increased popularity, there are high variations in pricing between the most expensive and most affordable nutrition degrees. The current difference for master’s in nutrition online programs is $80,000, no small number for aspiring graduate students. But how do you find the best nutrition programs online for you, your goals, and your budget?
That’s where GetEducated comes in. We’ve surveyed 74 of the top master’s in nutrition online programs from 70 regionally accredited schools to bring you our “Best Buy” ranking. This list reveals the highest quality degrees at the most economical prices, none above today’s national average! Advance your training on your terms, and check out the “Best Buys” below.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): $25,700
Least Expensive: East Carolina University ~$9,540
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$89,540
Our data-driven research of public and non-profit colleges creates a genuinely reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no misleading formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and they factually showcase the cheapest master’s in nutrition online programs. The online nutrition degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Best Affordable Master’s in Nutrition Online Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | East Carolina University | (NC) | $9,540.63 $33,647.13 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Lamar University | (TX) | $11,682.00 | All Students |
3 | University of Central Arkansas | (AR) | $11,700.00 | All Students |
4 | Appalachian State University | (NC) | $11,864.58 $44,386.29 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $13,200.00 | All Students |
6 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $13,485.45 | All Students |
7 | University of Houston | (TX) | $13,524.00 $31,848.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $13,914.00 | All Students |
9 | Graceland University | (IA) | $15,378.00 | All Students |
10 | Utah State University | (UT) | $15,543.00 | All Students |
11 | Texas Woman's University | (TX) | $15,733.56 $30,421.56 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $15,813.50 | All Students |
13 | Ohio University | (OH) | $16,058.00 $16,647.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Logan University | (MO) | $16,200.00 | All Students |
15 | Kansas State University | (KS) | $17,568.00 | All Students |
16 | University of Maine | (ME) | $17,700.00 | All Students |
17 | University of Wisconsin-Stout | (WI) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
18 | Bowling Green State University | (OH) | $18,017.12 $18,446.12 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | SUNY Oneonta | (NY) | $18,167.00 $20,839.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | University of North Florida | (FL) | $18,323.55 $37,599.45 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $19,156.32 | All Students |
22 | University of Memphis | (TN) | $19,680.00 | All Students |
23 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $20,082.50 | All Students |
24 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $20,895.00 | All Students |
25 | South Dakota State University | (SD) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
25 | University of Kansas | (KS) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
25 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | (NE) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
25 | Colorado State University | (CO) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
25 | Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
25 | North Dakota State University | (ND) | $21,240.00 | All Students |
31 | Central Michigan University | (MI) | $21,417.00 $12,419.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
32 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $21,436.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
33 | Stony Brook University | (NY) | $21,440.88 $24,824.88 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | Immaculata University | (PA) | $21,450.00 | All Students |
35 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $21,630.90 | All Students |
36 | University of Georgia | (GA) | $21,855.00 | All Students |
36 | Russell Sage College | (NY) | $21,855.00 | All Students |
38 | Canisius College | (NY) | $21,945.00 | All Students |
39 | Auburn University | (AL) | $21,972.00 | All Students |
40 | University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | (OK) | $21,998.00 | All Students |
41 | Parker University | (TX) | $22,215.00 | All Students |
42 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $23,676.00 | All Students |
43 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | (WI) | $24,000.00 | All Students |
44 | Lasell University | (MA) | $24,196.00 | All Students |
45 | SUNY Buffalo State | (NY) | $24,314.00 $28,834.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
46 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $25,133.60 $36,311.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
47 | University of Saint Joseph | (CT) | $25,170.00 | All Students |
48 | Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $25,260.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Winthrop University | (SC) | $25,810.00 | All Students | |
Benedictine University | (IL) | $26,215.00 | All Students | |
Adelphi University | (NY) | $26,690.00 | All Students | |
University of Bridgeport | (CT) | $27,115.00 | All Students | |
Northeast College of Health Sciences | (NY) | $27,216.00 | All Students | |
King's College | (PA) | $27,540.00 | All Students | |
Eastern Michigan University | (MI) | $28,133.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $28,144.00 | All Students | |
University of New England | (ME) | $28,440.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $28,974.00 | All Students | |
University of Western States | (OR) | $29,124.00 | All Students | |
Saint Elizabeth University | (NJ) | $31,530.00 | All Students | |
Samford University | (AL) | $32,278.00 | All Students | |
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | (IL) | $34,215.00 | All Students | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $35,325.00 | All Students | |
Union Institute & University (Status pending: not enrolling new students) Master of Arts in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics 14 | (OH) | $35,906.00 | All Students | |
Sonoran University of Health Sciences | (AZ) | $36,472.00 | All Students | |
Simmons University | (MA) | $40,144.00 | All Students | |
Loma Linda University | (CA) | $47,585.00 | All Students | |
Sonoran University of Health Sciences | (AZ) | $48,245.00 | All Students | |
Saybrook University | (CA) | $53,887.00 | All Students | |
New York Institute of Technology | (NY) | $54,030.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $54,520.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $89,540.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
AAFCS American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
ACEND Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Summer 2022 review of regionally accredited master’s in nutrition online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any non-profit, regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for nutrition may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best master’s in nutrition online programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Master’s in Nutrition Online Programs
A person’s diet and eating habits can have a profound impact on their overall health. If you graduate from one of the top master’s in nutrition online programs, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to help people improve what and how they eat. With time, this could create a life-altering change that results in greater confidence, a stronger body, and a better lifestyle.
What to Expect from Master’s in Nutrition Online Programs
These degrees lead to rewarding careers in nutrition, wellness, and health. But they are challenging programs that require rigorous study of some of the most complex subjects in science. This will include biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Simply gaining entry is challenging enough. Before you can enroll in one of these master’s in nutrition online programs, you need a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, biology, dietary issues, or a similar field. Not only will you need a bachelor’s degree, there will be GPA requirements; most require that you have a 3.0 or better before you can be accepted.
In most cases, they take about two years to complete, but you can speed the process by taking a larger class load and by enrolling in summer and winter classes.
A master’s in nutrition can be affordable, but it can be expensive if you don’t do your research and look at a variety of schools. In our survey of roughly 35 master’s in nutrition online programs, we found that the average cost was almost $26,000, but the most expensive was over $89,000. However, there were programs priced much lower, including the most affordable, which cost only $9,540. With a meticulous search, you can find one that meets even the tightest budget.
During the programs, you’ll be exposed to a variety of topics that make you more knowledgable in the field of nutrition. The classes may include nutrition science, the digestion process, and vitamins and minerals. It will also include broad scientific fields, such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
Top Careers for Nutrition Experts
Nutritionist
- Salary: $61,650
- Education: Bachelor’s
- Experience: None
Using your nutrition-based education, you’ll be able to move into a career as a nutritionist or dietician. These professionals assess the nutrition and diet needs of clients, provide diet and eating tips, and evaluate the impact of nutritional practices. They may also create educational material that supports healthy practices.
The minimum requirement for this career is a bachelor’s degree. But there is still a strong incentive to complete a master’s, as many of the top positions will require a more advanced degree to achieve licensing. The top 10% in this profession earn over $93,000; you are more likely to have a higher salary after completing a master’s in nutrition online programs. The growth for this career is expected to be 11% between 2020 and 2030, largely driven by an interest in nutrition for wellness and preventative care.
Medical Scientist
- Salary: $95,310
- Education: Doctoral
- Experience: None
A medical scientist helps advance healthcare through experiment and innovation. They seek to improve overall healthcare by investigating and creating new ways of preventing or curing disease. From designing studies to writing papers about their finding, medical scientists are a crucial part of healthcare.
Besides the excellent pay and rewarding work, there are many benefits to becoming a medical scientist. Most noteworthy is the expected growth, which the BLS says will be 17% between 2020 and 2030. This growth, which will be driven by an aging population and increased rates of chronic disease, will result in 156,000 medical scientists by the year 2030. Roughly six in ten will work for research groups or colleges and universities.
Licensing Requirements for Working in Nutrition
Nutritionists and dietitians often need licensing. Almost all states require licensing to legally be called a “licensed dietitian nutritionist” or “registered dietitian”. You can follow the tradition pathway to licensure (Registered Dietitian) or a newer path, called a “Certified Nutrition Specialist” or “CNS,” a designation that is administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists.
Some professions will require even more education beyond a master’s degree. A medical scientist, for example, will typically need a Ph.D. in biology or a related field. A doctorate in nutrition would apply to many important positions, although chemistry, microbiology, and epidemiology would certainly apply as well.
In most cases, you won’t need licensing for these careers unless you are directly administering care. If, for example, you are simply providing guidance and advice, you won’t need a license, at least not legally. (It may be required by some employers.) However, if you are administering drugs, providing therapy, or practicing direct care in any way, certification will be required.