The List of All U.S. Colleges With a Food Science Major

Put simply, who doesn’t love food? Sitting at the intersection of chemistry, biology, engineering, and other disciplines, food science is the study of the consumption, manufacturing, and chemical make-up of foods. Food scientists work behind the scenes to test quality, discover new ways of making production safer and cheaper, create and design products and processes, and more. They also examine the components of food and its nutritional composition. Unsurprisingly, the work of food scientists extends far beyond their laboratories. While food science may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we imagine “high impact” jobs, the work of food scientists effects every single one of us every single day. 

Why Should You Study Food Science in College?

Job prospects

Food’s not going anywhere (we hope). The industry is huge, and you should have many career possibilities if you choose to study food science. From private research regarding brand-name recipes to bilateral organizations that handle food safety and famine preparation, food scientists will likely have a range of opportunities for work. 

You don’t have to limit yourself to being a food scientist, either. There are numerous possibilities for applying your degree in food science to the job market. For example, you could work in marketing, quality assurance, teaching, engineering, manufacturing, and other areas—all related to food.

Breadth of knowledge

As a food science major, you’ll learn about a wide range of topics, including the sciences, product development, food safety, nutrition, sustainable practices, preservation, packaging, and more. These are just some of the many angles of food you’ll examine in your courses. In addition, food science majors might look to pair their studies with subjects from public health to philosophy. Food is the background to our everyday. It shapes our health, happiness, and often speaks to larger socio-political and environmental situations. 

Exciting work

No matter what career path you choose, a job that involves food science is rarely lacking in flavor. You’ll be able to exercise your creative thinking as you grapple with new products, designs, processes, research, and more. 

How Can You Increase Your Chances of Acceptance into a Food Science Program?

If you’re hoping to study food science in college, admissions committees will want to see strong grades and test scores in challenging science and math classes. You should participate in the most rigorous curriculum in these disciplines that your high school allows, taking APs in subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Calculus.

You should also engage in food- and cooking-related extracurricular activities to demonstrate your passion for the niche. For example, you might participate in a cooking summer program, volunteer at a soup kitchen, start a food club at your school, or take cooking classes at a local college. Along with food-related activities, try science extracurriculars, including independent research.

Which Colleges Have a Food Science Major?

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