Best Online Nutrition Degree Programs of 2024
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Nutritionists are experts in healthy food, healthy eating habits, and using nutrition to help people lead healthy lives. They help clients and patients maximize their health by eating an appropriate diet and avoiding obesity and related health conditions.
Learn how to earn a nutritional science degree online and what you can do with it after graduation.
Best Online Nutrition Degree Programs
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, AZ- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$12,984
- In-State$9,774
- Out-of-state$9,774
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled57,848
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Parker University
- Dallas, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$23,760
- Out-of-state$23,760
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,954
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,739
- In-State$12,348
- Out-of-state$32,290
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled51,035
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Kansas State University
- Manhattan, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,632
- Out-of-state$25,944
- In-State$10,294
- Out-of-state$23,018
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled19,707
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled38,617
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Why You Should Get a Nutritionist Degree Online
- Earning a nutrition degree online may provide flexibility, allowing you to more easily balance school with other obligations, like a job or family.
- With a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, you’ll gain the skills and qualifications to coach people in healthy eating.
- You can help improve the well-being of groups with an advanced understanding of the effects of diet and lifestyle.
- An online nutrition degree helps you enter an in-demand field that’s projected to grow 7% between 2022 and 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Getting optional board certifications after earning your nutritionist degree online can raise your salary potential and expand your career options.
Online Nutrition Degree Application Requirements
Online application- Official high school transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- SAT or ACT scores, if required
- Application fee
Coursework for an Online Nutrition Degree
In an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition program, you can expect to take a combination of general education courses, core nutrition courses, and electives.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of topics like digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
You’ll also study the pharmacology of nutrition and lifestyle choices. In addition, you’ll build ethical, administrative, and professional skills for diverse positions in healthcare or public health.
Accredited bachelor’s programs prepare you for further education in nutrition, which is required for industry certification. Some online nutrition programs are 100% online, whereas others may have in-person requirements.
Here are some examples of classes you may take for your online nutrition degree:
- Animal nutrition
- Food laws and regulations
- Food microbiology
- Food science
- Human biochemistry
- Human nutritional needs
- Nutrition across the lifespan
- World hunger and malnutrition
Nutritionist Salary and Career Outlook
Nutritionists and dietitians earned a median annual salary of $69,680 in May 2023, according to the BLS.
What you’ll earn will depend on factors like your title and location.
| Careers | Annual Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Dietitian (RD) | $58,880 |
| Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | $56,000 |
| Dietetics Technician | $36,520 |
| Health Education Specialists | $62,860 |
| Food Safety Auditor | $63,480 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,400 |
Nutritionists can earn advanced degrees and optional certifications to increase their salary potential. According to a 2021 survey by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) earned a median annual salary of $70,000. RDNs employed full-time for more than a year earned a median salary of $72,000.
Meanwhile, nutrition and dietetics technicians earned a median salary of $48,300 per year.
Your location can also affect your earning potential as a nutritionist. Explore below to see the median nutritionist salary by state.
Nutritionist Certification and Licensure
Many states require nutritionists to hold a license. Check with your state for more information on licensure requirements for nutritionists.
State licensure requirements usually include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in food, nutrition, or a related area. You’ll also likely need to complete a supervised practice and pass an exam.
Aside from state licensure, nutritionists can pursue optional certifications in specialized areas. Earning an additional certification can open new career prospects and increase your salary potential and scope of practice.
Common nutritionist certifications include:
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN)
- Diplomate, American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN)
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician (NDTR)
- Certified Food Manager (CFM)
- Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nutrition Degrees
You need at least a master’s degree in nutrition to enter the field of nutrition and dietetics. The highest-level certification from the American Nutrition Association, Certified Nutrition Specialist, requires a master’s in dietetics, healthcare, or related areas. Becoming a registered dietitian also requires a master’s degree in dietetics or a related area.
Nutrition is a science-based degree, so you’ll need to be comfortable with coursework heavy in math and science. Even if you find math and science difficult, you can successfully earn a bachelor’s degree in nutrition with persistence and support from your professors and university.
A dietitian is a nutritionist with extra qualifications that allow them to work with patients in clinical settings. A dietitian is a more highly regulated credential than a nutritionist. If you become a dietitian, you’ll be able to work with clients to treat clinical conditions like eating disorders.
The return on investment of a nutrition degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, depends on your goals and interests. If you are looking for a career with above-average job growth and salary, options of working in a variety of settings, and the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ health and lives, a nutrition degree online or on-campus program could well be worth the effort.
A nutritionist certification demonstrates your educational background and commitment to professional development as a nutritionist, so it can be worth it if it makes you stand out as a candidate. To see the benefit you might get from certification as a Certified Nutrition Specialist, look at job listings for positions you want. The more often certifications are required or listed as desirable, the more valuable it will likely be for you.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed January 4, 2024.
