Best Online Nutrition Degrees of 2024

Americans have a weird relationship with food. According to Pew Research Center, nearly 60% of U.S. adults think they should eat healthier — but that doesn’t mean they know how to do it.

Thats’s where nutritionists come in. Nutritionists can help guide people to a lifestyle that uses food as a foundation for disease prevention, personal wellness, and better mental health.

If you are looking for a career where you can guide others to happier and healthier lives, consider getting an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition. Here’s how to get started:

A bachelor’s degree in nutrition is your first step toward working as a nutritionist or dietitian. It sets you up to pursue many entry-level careers and prepares you for an advanced degree.

Dietitians and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $69,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries range from $67,080-$73,670 depending on the work setting.

Nutrition isn’t a get-rich-quick degree — especially since many positions in the field will also soon require you to have a graduate degree. That’s why it’s so important to consider your return on investment before making the leap.

Consider the cost of your degree against your projected early career earnings. Will you be able to keep up with your student loan payments, pay rent, buy groceries, and meet your financial goals?

The best way to make sure you get a good return on your college investment is to pay as little for your degree as possible.

With a nutrition science degree, you can work in hospitals, schools, health clinics, and government agencies. You can also find jobs in public health, community service, food companies, and private practice.

In addition to pursuing a career as a nutritionist or registered dietitian, you may also pursue the following roles:

As an RD, you can continue to advance your career by pursuing board specialization in niche areas of expertise, including:

The total average cost for a four-year degree is nearly $71,000 for tuition and fees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). But that doesn’t mean you need to pay that much.

Start by choosing in-state, online programs with affordable tuition and prioritizing schools offering scholarships and grant-based aid packages that you won’t need to repay.

Once you have a bachelor’s degree — and possibly some years of experience as a nutritionist — you may want to level up your career by pursuing an advanced degree.

According to the BLS, an advanced degree can boost your earning potential by as much as 16%. In the nutrition field, more education often means access to leadership positions with more responsibility and impact.

As of 2024, a nutrition master’s degree will be the minimum education requirement for becoming a registered dietitian. Don’t worry — when you’re ready, we can help you find the best and most affordable master’s programs in nutrition to suit your schedule, career goals, and wallet.