Exploring a nutrition major: courses, careers, and scholarships

Key takeaways about a nutrition major

• Nutrition majors study how food affects health and performance.
• Courses mix biology, chemistry, and applied nutrition skills.
• Career paths include dietetics, community health, research, and food industry roles.
• Nutrition and food science overlap but focus on different problems.
• Scholarships and college search tools can cut costs and clarify choices.

Thinking about a nutrition major? Good call — food impacts everyone, and studying it opens practical careers. This page walks you through what to expect, what you’ll learn, and where a degree can take you.

What is a nutrition major?

A nutrition major explores how nutrients affect the human body, growth, and health. Students learn the science of digestion, metabolism, and dietary planning. The goal is to translate science into real-world eating advice and programs.

Nutrition vs. food science: what’s the difference?

Nutrition focuses on health, clinical care, and behavior change around eating. Food science focuses on how food is produced, preserved, and engineered. Both overlap in topics like food safety, but their end goals differ.

If you love biology and helping people manage health, nutrition is a great fit. If you’re curious about manufacturing or product development, food science might suit you better.

Clinical vs. community nutrition

Clinical nutrition happens in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care. It focuses on medical nutrition therapy and working with a health care team.

Community nutrition focuses on population-level programs, prevention, and education. You might design school lunch programs or public health campaigns.

Common courses for nutrition majors

Expect a foundation in biology and chemistry first. Then you’ll take human physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition counseling classes.

Typical classes include:

• Introductory nutrition
• Lifespan nutrition
• Food science basics
• Clinical nutrition
• Community nutrition
• Research methods

Labs and practicums are common.

Nutrition specializations

Many programs offer tracks like clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, public health nutrition, and research-focused options. Some schools offer combined dietetics programs that prepare you for registration as a dietitian.

Pick a specialization based on the population you want to work with: hospitals, athletes, communities, or labs.

Popular double majors and minors to pair with nutrition

Common pairings include:

• Public health
• Psychology
• Business
• Exercise science
• Food science

These combos widen your career options and make your resume more flexible.

Minors in statistics or communications are useful too. They help with research and translating complex advice to real people.

Skills I’ll gain as a nutrition major

You’ll get technical skills like nutrient analysis, dietary assessment, and basic lab techniques. You’ll also build people skills like counseling and educational program design.

Other valuable skills include data interpretation, public speaking, and project management. Those help in community programs, clinical settings, and industry roles.

Career options for nutrition majors

Graduates work as registered dietitian nutritionists (with additional credentials), clinical nutritionists, community program coordinators, and wellness coaches. Other roles include food industry positions, research assistants, and nutrition educators.

Some graduates pursue advanced degrees in nutrition, public health, or medicine to specialize further.

How much will I earn with a nutrition degree?

If you’re thinking about majoring in nutrition, the good news is that it can lead to a solid career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dietitians and nutritionists earn a median salary of about $73,850 a year. Some make less when just starting out (around $48,000), while experienced professionals can bring in over $100,000 annually. So not only is nutrition a career where you can help people live healthier lives, but it also offers strong earning potential as you grow in the field.

Notable schools for nutrition majors

If you’re ready to explore where to study nutrition, here are some well-known programs across the country:

• New York University (NYU) – Offers innovative nutrition and dietetics programs.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Known for strong research and clinical training.
• Cornell University – A top choice for nutrition science with excellent career outcomes.
• University of California, Davis – Highly regarded for nutrition and health sciences.
• Case Western Reserve University – Offers strong undergraduate and graduate nutrition programs.
• Columbia University – Provides multiple nutrition degree options in NYC.
• Hunter College (CUNY) – ACEND-accredited programs with a dietetic internship.
• Brooklyn College (CUNY) – Flexible tracks in health and nutrition sciences.

These schools represent just a starting point—many universities across the U.S. offer accredited nutrition and dietetics programs that can prepare you for diverse careers in health and wellness.

That said, the right school for you doesn’t have to be the biggest name. Smaller programs with strong faculty, hands-on studios, and regional connections can be just as valuable—especially if you plan to work locally after graduation. Use Scout College Search to find the best school for you. 

Scholarship opportunities for nutrition majors

Worried about paying for college? You’re not alone. The good news: there are scholarships designed specifically for nutrition students. Check out scholarships for nutrition majors and search even more opportunities through Scholly Scholarships. Don’t forget easy options like the $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.