At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Online Nutrition Degrees
#1: Arizona State University— Students can choose from an array of focus areas including community nutrition, pre-<a href="https://health.kporia.com/diet-herbs-vitamins-and-more/” title=”Diet, herbs, vitamins, and more”>dietetics, and food service operations.
#2: Parker University— Parker’s clinical and research focus preps students for advanced degree programs.
#3: The New School— The food studies program focuses on social and cultural issues like food deserts and childhood obesity.
If you want to enter the healthcare field without the burden of high tuition costs and lengthy degree programs, consider a career in nutrition. Nutritionists help people by providing advice on healthy eating habits and helping them make informed food choices.
Not only is this career incredibly impactful, but the field is also experiencing rapid growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to rise by 7% over the next eight years, while the national average for other professions sits at 4%.
Fortunately, there are many nutrition programs that can be completed online. These offer the same valuable experiences and knowledge as in-person programs while typically being more affordable and flexible.
So, if you’re interested in enrolling in an online nutrition degree, read on for our list of the best options available.
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Best Online Nutrition Degree Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school’s program to identify qualities that set it apart, prioritizing factors like customizability, preparation for advanced degree programs, and cultural relevance. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools’ facts in August 2025.
Why You Should Get a Nutrition Degree
Workplace flexibility: With this degree, you can work in various settings, from medical offices to sports teams — you could even set up your own clinic.
Rapid employment growth: According to the BLS, employment in this field is projected to grow by 7% from 2023-2033 — that’s 3% higher than the national average growth rate for other jobs.
Provide healthy-eating education:You’ll help people develop healthy eating habits by educating them and guiding them on creating personalized meal plans and diets.
Improve peoples’ well-being:As a nutritionist, you can help people understand nutrition research so they can make better choices and reduce the risk of chronic disease or mitigate illnesses.
Benefits of Getting a Nutritionist Degree Online
According to our 2025 Annual Online Education Trends Report, 97% of online bachelor’s students and graduates said they’d recommend online education to others.
The same report found that 94% think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment;
Additionally, 75% said an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
How to Choose the Best Nutrition Degree Program for You
When you are looking for the best nutrition degree program for you, you’ll want to consider the overall cost and length of the program, what careers the degree will prepare you for, and if the program is accredited.
Katherine Tom, a private practice registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, says you should also consider choosing a program that offers a supervised practice dietetic internship after graduation.
“Participating in these specific nutrition degree programs may positively influence your acceptance into [the dietetic internship], as they are highly competitive,” says Tom.
How Much Does a Nutrition Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
Online Bachelor’s in Nutrition, 2019-2020
An online bachelor’s degree in nutrition typically costs between $5,929 to $9,752 if you live in the state where the program is offered. On the other hand, out-of-state students pay around $6,430 to $9,209.
However, keep in mind that the total amount you’ll ultimately pay depends on the program you enroll in and the state you live in.
Additionally, applying for financial aid can potentially lower the cost of your degree considerably. For example, in-state students might end up paying almost $4,000 less if they qualify for grants or scholarships.
Find Financial Aid for Your Nutrition Degree
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How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Nutrition?
Typical # of Credits
Typical Program Length
It typically takes four years, or 120 credits, to complete a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. For example, Arizona State University’s bachelor of science in applied nutrition and health program requires 40 classes and 120 credits to complete.
However, online programs allow for more flexibility and can sometimes be completed quicker than in-person programs. You can also find accelerated programs, which could allow you to complete your bachelor’s in three years instead of four.
Accreditation for Nutritionist Degree
Programmatic accreditation is crucial. It ensures that a program meets established industry standards and teaches students knowledge and skills recognized by employers and other educational institutions.
Accreditation is also considered necessary to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). So, when you’re looking for a nutrition program, be sure to look for one accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
You can typically see if a program is accredited on its website.
Ask an Expert: How Important Is Accreditation for a Nutritionist Degree?
Accreditation is essential for anyone seeking a license or certification in the field of nutrition.
What Can You Do With a Nutrition Degree?
With a nutrition degree, you can pursue a career as a sports nutritionist, clinical nutritionist, dietitian, and more. These careers involve teaching individuals about healthy diets and creating tailored nutrition plans to fit your clients or patients’ needs.
According to the BLS, dietitian and nutritionist jobs are projected to grow by 7% between 2023-2033, which is faster than the 4% national average growth rate.
| Dietitian and Nutritionist | $73,850 | Helps clients or patients make informed, healthy food choices |
|---|---|---|
| Health Education Specialist | $63,000 | Teaches people about health practices and wellness strategies |
| Sports Nutritionist | $60,625 | Develops nutrition plans for athletes |
| Clinical Nutritionist | $50,000 | Develops personal nutrition plans to support health and recovery |
17 Jobs for Nutrition Majors
Is a Nutrition Degree Worth It?
To determine if getting a bachelor’s degree in nutrition is worth it, start by evaluating the return on investment. Compare the program’s cost and the time it would take for you to earn the projected annual salary of a dietitian, nutritionist, or similar.
Estimated tuition and fees for an online bachelor’s degree in nutrition can range from $9,209 to $9,752. And the median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists was $73,850 as of April 2024, according to the BLS.
Now, it typically takes four years to complete a nutritionist bachelor’s degree — and you can reduce that time frame if you enroll in an accelerated program or transfer credits.
However, note that you’ll also have to complete an internship before qualifying for a certification or license in any state. Nutrition internships can take between six to 24 months to complete, depending on whether the program is full- or part-time.
Beyond the cost and your potential earnings, earning a nutrition degree can be highly rewarding, especially if you’re interested in food education and helping others improve their well-being.
Education Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree
After earning your bachelor’s degree in nutrition, you can go on to obtain additional licenses or certifications. You could also consider getting a master’s degree.
A graduate degree in nutrition can be required to obtain certain credentials or qualify for high-level jobs. Popular professional credentials in the field include Registered Dietitian (RD), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), or the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) designation.
Best Online Master’s in Nutrition Programs
Best Master’s in Dietetics Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutritionist Degrees
Dietitians and nutritionists have different requirements when it comes to education, supervised practice, and licensure or certification tests. Both work with individuals to develop healthy eating habits.
However, dietitians are trained to use nutrition to help manage medical conditions, while nutritionists typically don’t diagnose or treat illnesses. Also, note that registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists hold the credentials to be registered dietitians.
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