What can you do with a Dietetics degree?

First, some facts. Of the Dietetics graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 518 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Dietetics graduates have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 78%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 58% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Dietetics graduate.

See the details:

View a random Dietetics graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dietetics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Crandall Corporate Dietitians
Feb 2018 - May 2021
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, this job directly utilizes the specific skills and knowledge obtained from a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, requiring strong expertise in nutrition and diet planning on a daily basis.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Crandall Corporate Dietitians
Apr 2022 - Feb 2023
This position as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist also directly applies the core qualifications from the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, necessitating the application of nutritional science and dietary guidance regularly.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Dietetics degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


The data on job experiences from individuals with degrees in Dietetics showcases a wide variety of roles they have taken on. The most common job titles among these graduates are Registered Dietitian, Clinical Dietitian, and various Dietetic Intern positions. These roles are generally tied to health care and nutrition management, indicating that many individuals pursue direct application of their education. Internships, especially those targeted at clinical or food service contexts, are prevalent among most, suggesting that hands-on experience is a crucial step toward obtaining full-time roles in Dietetics.

Many graduates end up in clinically relevant positions, such as Clinical Dietitians at various healthcare institutions. This makes perfect sense, as these roles directly utilize their specialized skills acquired in their Dietetics programs, including nutritional assessment and dietary planning. Additionally, roles like WIC Nutritionist and Nutrition Educator at community organizations highlight a focus on public health and family nutrition, underscoring the community aspect of the field. However, the analysis also reveals that not all jobs held by these graduates are related to dietetics. Numerous positions, such as servers in restaurants or jobs in completely different industries, do not require dietetic knowledge, indicating that some graduates may not stay within the field or may be transitioning out of it.

In summary, while many Dietetics graduates find employment that directly relates to their degree and utilizes the specific knowledge they gained during their studies, there is a notable portion who take on roles not directly connected to dietetics. This divergence often reflects the broader job market and the varied pathways that individuals choose after completing their education. It suggests that while a degree in Dietetics can lead to meaningful roles in health and nutrition, there is also a significant crossover into other sectors, highlighting the versatility of their skill set.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Dietetics graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Dietetics graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Dietetics, it becomes evident that the early years post-graduation often involve internships or entry-level positions closely related to their field of study, indicating a strong foundation in the profession. Many graduates start their careers as dietetic interns—a crucial step in the path to becoming registered dietitians. For instance, those from institutions like Brigham Young University and Michigan State University typically take on multiple internships before landing a position as a clinical dietitian or nutrition manager. This path illustrates that to remain relevant in the field, fresh graduates often take up hands-on internships that allow them to refine their skills and gain exposure to the dietetics industry.

Fast-forward five to ten years later, many of these professionals have successfully transitioned into well-respected roles that leverage their early experiences. The trajectory usually leads to positions such as clinical dietitians, nutrition managers, or specialists in certain areas like pediatric or bariatric nutrition. For example, graduates from Michigan State University have seen long-term employment as clinical dietitians in various healthcare settings, and others have taken on leadership roles like nutrition services directors, demonstrating a clear upward mobility in their careers. Conversely, while many graduates attain relevant positions, others that I reviewed seem to have taken detours into unrelated jobs, indicating that not all paths lead directly to nutrition-focused careers.

A notable theme across many profiles is that while some graduates might start in jobs that seem tangential, like food service roles or various temporary positions, they often reprioritize their paths back to dietetics within a few years or after additional education. However, it’s essential to recognize that others struggle to find relevant positions even after obtaining their degrees and internships. The promising outlook does exist for those willing to navigate the necessary internships and gain experience, leading to reputable roles. Yet, it's also real that a number of graduates may face challenges in aligning their careers with their academic backgrounds in Dietetics, especially in competitive job markets.

How hard is a Dietetics degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. You’ll dive into a lot of science courses like biology, chemistry, and nutrition, which can be tough if you're not into that kind of stuff. Plus, you’ll have to deal with some practical work, which means applying what you learn in real-life situations, and that can add a layer of complexity. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about health and nutrition, it can be really rewarding and engaging!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Dietetics.

Do Dietetics graduates tend to make good money?

Based on the job histories you've shared, it seems like some dietetics graduates have indeed landed well-paying positions, especially those who have moved into clinical settings or managerial roles. For example, graduates who have become clinical dietitians or nutrition directors often see salaries that reflect their advanced duties, which can easily go above the average. Those who have moved into supervisory or specialized roles, like pediatrics or sports nutrition, also tend to earn more, especially in established healthcare systems.

However, some graduates, particularly recent ones, seem to take on several internships or entry-level roles before moving into better-paying positions, which can indicate a slower wage growth at the start of their careers. While many seem to be establishing themselves nicely in solid dietetic roles over time, the journey to higher pay can be lengthy, especially if they started out in more basic positions or with limited experience. Overall, it looks like there’s potential for decent money in dietetics, but it can heavily depend on the individual's path and timing in the field.

What buzzwords do Dietetics graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Dietetics. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Dietetics?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Dietetics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Dietetics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Delaware 87 13
Purdue University 79 10
University of Kentucky 76 10
Michigan State University 74 16
Brigham Young University 73 12
Iowa State University 72 13
Florida State University 67 11
Arizona State University 65 12