Best Degrees for Stay-at-Home Moms: 20 Most Affordable Values in Food/Nutrition 2024

food and nutrition

Key Takeaways:

  • The #1 school on our list of best value degrees in food/nutrition is the College of the Ozarks, followed by SUNY-Plattsburgh.
  • A degree in food/nutrition can be highly valuable for stay-at-home moms, It equips you with the knowledge to improve your family’s health, opens up flexible career opportunities, and can be the foundation for entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Many nutrition-related careers offer flexibility, such as working as a freelance nutritionist, consultant, or health coach, which can be done from home or part-time.
  • Some roles, like writing for health websites, offering online consultations, or creating nutrition-related content for blogs and social media, can be performed remotely.
  • A food/nutrition degree provides comprehensive knowledge about healthy eating habits, meal planning, and nutritional needs, which can directly benefit your family’s health and well-being.

Welcome to our ranking of Best Degrees for Stay-at-Home Moms: 20 Most Affordable Values in Food/Nutrition.

Students who look forward to spending a considerable amount of time raising a family and making a home can benefit considerably from a nutrition-related degree.

Featured Programs

An experienced SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) will tell you that nutrition and wellness become a top priority as kids grow. You want to know what food is important for your kids at which stage of growth and in what quantity.

Our initial pool of the 109 existing bachelor’s degree programs in the areas of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (see Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services on the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator) was reduced to the 35 programs costing under $20,000 in annual tuition/fees (in-state where applicable).

As a value indication we further reduced our pool to the 20 finalists with the highest graduation rates, so you’ll know that among these 20 you are getting a quality education with serious student support at a reasonable price. The number one ranked school had the highest graduation rate.

Reviewing the Best Degrees for Stay at Home Moms: Nutrition Programs

20. Delaware State University

Dover, DelawareThe logo for Delaware State University which offers one of the best degrees for stay-at-home moms

The Food and Nutritional Science Program at Delaware State leads to a bachelor’s degree  with the option of a concentration in Dietetics.

With this concentration students would be set up to complete their internship, pass the official exam of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and apply for state licensure.

But even if licensure is not the intended path, future stay at home moms will be well equipped by the faculty and labs at Delaware State to understand nutrition in order to care for their families and themselves.

Tuition and fees: $7,531
Graduation rate: 43%

19. Stephen F. Austin State University

The logo for SFA which offers good majors for stay-at-home moms

Nacogdoches, Texas

Website

Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics majors can complete a bachelor’s degree at a remarkable price at Stephen F. Austin State University.

This is one of the best degrees for stay at home moms because most moms will spend a considerable amount of time preparing food, and they will want to do it responsibly as their kids grow.

At Stephen F. Austin, students can elect to take the Registered Dietitian track, which will prepare them for their official internship and exam. This also makes the nutrition major one of the best degrees for moms returning to work later on, as they can gain experience as moms and then find employment as registered dietitians down the road.

Tuition and fees: $7,560
Graduation rate: 44%

18. Texas Woman’s University

The logo for Texas Woman's University which offers one of the best online degrees for stay-at-home momsDenton, Texas

The Nutrition and Food Sciences department at Texas Woman’s University offers a nice slate of good majors for stay at home moms.

These include a BAS in Culinary Science and Food Service Management, a BS in Nutrition with concentrations in either Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, or Wellness, and a BS in Food and Nutrition in Business and Industry.

At Texas Woman’s these come at a great tuition, and a degree like the BAS in Culinary Science and Food Service Management would serve well those future stay at home moms bringing a more artistic flair to their culinary pursuits!

Tuition and fees: $6,948
Graduation rate: 44%

17. University of Central Arkansas

The logo for University of Central Arkansas which offers multiple degrees for stay-at-home moms

Conway, Arkansas

Website

The BS in Nutrition at University of Central Arkansas has a tuition that is hard to beat. Aspiring stay at home moms who want to focus on nutrition for their families will receive a foundation in food systems management while learning the scientific connection between food and human behavior.

Some stay at home moms will be glad to know that graduates of the BS in Nutrition have the opportunity to continue on to an official internship before taking the Registered Dietitian exam.

Tuition and fees: $7,889
Graduation rate: 45%

16. North Carolina A & T State University

The logo for North Carolina A & T State University which is a great school when you're looking for best degrees for momsGreensboro, NC

Website

The BS in Food and Nutritional Sciences at North Carolina A & T offers two different concentration options. The concentration in Food Science could be a good major for stay at home moms because it provides a comprehensive understanding of how food is produced, inspected and sold.

The second concentration possibility is in Pre-Medicine Nutrition, for students planning to advance to medical or dental school. Or, a stay at home mom could choose neither of these concentrations, opting rather for the general BS in Food and Nutritional Sciences that will give them a super foundation in nutrition in order to help their families and communities.

Tuition and fees: $5,972
Graduation rate: 48%

15. Southern Utah University

The logo for SUU which has some great at home degreesCedar City, Utah

The BS in Nutrition from Southern Utah University is a one-of-a-kind program in Utah because of its nutrition assessment laboratory. It is among the best degrees for stay at home moms because graduates will know how to help others eat well in order to feel their best every day.

Every professor in the major is a registered dietitian, and the tuition rate is remarkable.

Tuition and fees: $6,300
Graduation rate: 50%

14. Utah State University

Logan, UtahThe logo for Utah State University which offers a great degree in food science

Website

The BS in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science is among the best degrees for stay-at-home moms because graduates will be knowledgeable in both food production and consumption.

Moms will thus understand not only what to feed kids, but also what food product choices are out there and what they contain.

The program looks at nutrition from scientific, social, and economic angles, providing future stay-at-home moms with a broad understanding of this vital element of family life.

Tuition and fees: $7,260
Graduation rate: 50%

13. Madonna University

Livonia, MichiganThe logo for Madonna University which has great options for online degrees for moms

Learning experiences in the BS in Dietetics at Madonna University goes a fair way beyond the classroom. Students will be encouraged to conduct and speak on original research, engage the community regarding nutrition, and become members of professional dietetic associations.

One of the best majors for stay at home moms can be had for under $19,000 tuition per year at a Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition.

Tuition and fees: $18,740
Graduation rate: 50%

12. Framingham State University

Framingham, MassachusettsThe logo for Framingham State University which has a great program for moms at home

Website

The BS in Food and Nutrition prepares graduates to be nutrition educators and healthcare specialists in today’s changing food environment. Some students seek out an internship and Registered Dietitian status after graduation.

One practical business application of this degree would be the personal health and wellness arena.

Tuition and fees: $8,700
Graduation rate: 51%

11. Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia

The logo for Georgia Southern University which offers a top food science program

Website

Aspiring stay at home moms who want concentration options at a remarkable tuition will want to take a close look at Georgia Southern.

Whether concentrating on Community Nutrition, Food Science/Food Systems Administration, or Dietetics, students can be assured of a strong base in nutrition to help their future families eat well and thrive.

The combination of solid faculty and diverse field and research experiences make the BS in Nutrition and Science a live option.

Tuition and fees: $6,273
Graduation rate: 51%

10. CUNY Hunter College

New York, New YorkThe logo for Hunter University which offers a great nutrition degree

Website

Students in Hunter College’s BS in Nutrition and Food Science program will learn about food and its health effects. This is one of the best degrees for stay at home moms because it includes the practical facets of food preparation, food service, and community nutrition education.

The degree does not prepare graduates to take the Registered Dietician exam, but that is not necessarily a problem for students aiming to use their know-how in raising a family.

Tuition and fees: $6,782
Graduation rate: 52%

9. Sam Houston State University

The logo for Sam Houston State University which offers a great stay at home mom degreeHuntsville, Texas

Website

Sam Houston offers a relevant stay at home mom college degree in the form of a BS in Food Science and Nutrition.

In addition to the expected courses focused on food and nutrition and the natural sciences, future stay at home moms will be interested in taking full advantage of courses in psychology, sociology, and accounting that will serve them well in future years.

As most students in the Food Science and Nutrition pursue the registered dietitian licensure after graduation, this is a live option for future employment should the need arise.

Tuition and fees: $7,618
Graduation rate: 53%

8. University of Wisconsin – Stout

Menomonie, WisconsinThe logo for university-of-wisconsin-stout which has a great food technology and science degree for stay-at-home moms

Two good majors for stay-at-home moms offered at the University of Wisconsin – Stout are the BS in Dietetics and the BS in Food Science and Technology. Which is pursued will probably depend on a student’s future plans after raising a family.

The Dietetics route boasts a small class size and 320 hours of field experience, building a solid foundation for good nutrition in the family and community context. The BS in Food Science and Technology would help you understand what makes food production safe and healthy.

Tuition and fees: $9,203
Graduation rate: 53%

7. Western Illinois University

Macomb, IllinoisThe logo for Western Illinois University which offers some great degrees for those looking to become dietitians

Website

If you are a future stay-at-home mom wanting to learn how to serve food safely and in a balanced way, consider Western Illinois University’s BS in Dietetics as a strong foundation. 

And with Dietitian and Nutritionist jobs expected to rise 21% between 2012 and 2022, future engagements for stay-at-home moms with degrees in Nutrition will not be lacking if ever the employment path is chosen down the road.

Tuition and fees: $12,889
Graduation rate: 54%

6. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OhioThe logo for Bowling Green State University which offers great affordable online degree

Website

Looking for an affordable stay-at-home mom college degree that will serve you well every day? Consider two-degree offerings from Bowling Green: the BS in Nutrition Science or the BS in Dietetics.

The former option is ideal if you would like to pursue graduate studies in nutrition or a medical profession, while the latter will give you the possibility of becoming a registered dietician.

These are good majors for stay-at-home moms because if you want your future family to eat right and avoid illnesses, an intimate knowledge of nutrition is essential.

Tuition and fees: $10,796
Graduation rate: 55%

5. Kent State University

Kent, Ohio

The logo for Kent State University which offers a great degree for stay at home mom's online

Kent State University is offering one of the best degrees for stay at home moms: the BS in Nutrition.

Future moms will appreciate being mentored by faculty with strengths not only in the nutritional sciences, but also in exercise science, community involvement, and leadership–all vital facets of making a home where family thrives.

Notice the inexpensive tuition and respectable graduation rate indicating strong student support.

Tuition and fees: $10,012
Graduation rate: 55%

4. South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

The logo for South Dakota State University which offers one of the best degrees for say at home mom

Another good major for stay at home moms at an amazing price is South Dakota State’s BS in Dietetics.

By knowing how to apply knowledge of food, nutrition, counselling, and management through this degree, you will set the stage for a lifetime of wellness for your future family.

The solid graduation rate means that SD State students feel well supported in the course of their studies.

Tuition and fees: $8,172
Graduation rate: 57%

3. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

The logo for Texas Tech University which offers good Majors for sat home alone
 

Website

Texas Tech is offering several pertinent degree options to future stay at home moms: the BS in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, the BS in Nutrition (pre-professional emphasis), the BS in Nutrition (wellness emphasis), or the BS in Nutrition (secondary teacher certification).

Depending on your future plans as a stay at home mom, the latter two programs might be particularly relevant, but all four are open options at a great tuition rate.

Tuition and fees: $8,028
Graduation rate: 59%

2. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, New YorkThe logo for Plattsburgh University which offers one of the best degrees for moms

Website

The BS in Nutrition at SUNY Plattsburgh comes at a great price at a school with a solid graduation rate.

We believe this is one of the best degrees for stay at home moms because students advance in crucially important life areas such as nutrition science, health, well-being, exercise, and food service management.

As a stay-at-home mom, there will not be a day that goes by when you will not use all of those practical facets of your degree.

Tuition and fees: $7,850
Graduation rate: 61%

1. College of the Ozarks

Point Lookout, MissouriThe logo for College of the Ozarks which ranked 1st for est Degrees for Stay at Home Moms: 20 Most Affordable Values in Food/Nutrition

Website

The BS in Nutrition and Dietetics at the College of the Ozarks will provide future stay at home moms with the scientific knowledge and the character qualities necessary for helping family members live healthy lives. The program graduates people who are concerned, assertive, and organized.

Experienced stay at home moms will tell you that those are all qualities essential to success as a homemaker. We ranked the program number one among our pool because of its tuition under $20,000 and its strong student support as indicated from institutional graduation rates.

Tuition and fees: $18,730
Graduation rate: 63%

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By CVO Staff

This concludes our ranking of Best Degrees for Stay at Home Moms: 20 Most Affordable Values in Food/Nutrition.