What can you do with a Human Nutrition degree?

First, some facts. Of the Human Nutrition 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 67 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Human Nutrition graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 62%
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, 59% 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 Human Nutrition graduate.

See the details:

View a random Human Nutrition graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 63%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Human Nutrition. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
HCER: Explorer Zone Childcare Assistant
Hudson City School District
Aug 2014 - May 2016
The role of Childcare Assistant does not require specific knowledge or skills related to Human Nutrition, as it focuses more on general child care duties.

Dietary Associate
McKendree Village
Jul 2016 - Nov 2016
As a Dietary Associate, this position may utilize some nutritional knowledge related to dietary needs but does not fully encompass the core qualifications of Human Nutrition.

Lead Food Service Technician
Head-Start
Nov 2016 - Jan 2017
The position as Lead Food Service Technician may involve some application of nutrition-related skills, but primarily focuses on food service management rather than direct nutritional expertise.

Dietetic Intern
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
The Dietetic Intern position directly utilizes the knowledge and skills gained from the Human Nutrition degree, particularly in practical applications of nutrition.

Research Project Coordinator/Research Dietitian
Center for Indigenous Health, Research, and Policy
Oct 2017 - Jun 2019
As a Research Project Coordinator/Research Dietitian, the role heavily involves applying nutrition knowledge and skills, making it highly relevant to the Human Nutrition degree.

Dietitian
Trilogy Health Services, LLC
Jul 2019 - Nov 2020
The Dietitian position requires direct utilization of Human Nutrition knowledge and skills in daily practice, making it very relevant to the degree.

Consultant Dietitian
Nutrition Services, Inc.
Nov 2020 - Jun 2021
As a Consultant Dietitian, the role involves applying expertise in Human Nutrition, making it directly relevant to the educational background.

Health Care Facilities Surveyor
Ohio Department of Health
Apr 2021 - Present
The Health Care Facilities Surveyor role may require some basic understanding of nutrition standards but primarily focuses on health facility regulations rather than nutrition expertise itself.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Science - MS
Kent State University
2014 - 2016

Certificate
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
2017 - 2017
ABOUT

I received a B.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Kentucky in 2014, a M.S. in Nutrition from Kent State University in 2016, and a Certificate in Dietetic Internship from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2017. I have a passion for ensuring people are adequately fed and cared for in health care facilities.

What jobs can you get with a Human Nutrition degree?

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


When you look at the different career paths of people who graduated with a degree in Human Nutrition, you'll see a wide variety of jobs, but certain common trends emerge. Many graduates pursue careers as dietitians, clinical dietitians, or nutritionists, which clearly align with the skills and knowledge acquired from their studies. These roles focus on providing nutrition advice, creating meal plans, and working within healthcare settings to promote dietary health. For instance, roles like Clinical Dietitian and Registered Dietitian are directly linked to their education and require an in-depth understanding of nutrition to impact patient care positively. These positions are undoubtedly among the most relevant and common career choices for graduates.

However, not everyone with a degree in Human Nutrition ends up in roles that directly utilize their training. Many individuals have taken on jobs in healthcare that involve some level of nutritional understanding but are not primarily focused on it. For example, some graduates work as nurses or medical assistants. While their roles may occasionally involve discussing dietary needs or making nutrition-based recommendations, these positions often emphasize broader healthcare practices. This reflects a reality where individuals may drift into occupations with only marginal relevance to their degree.

Additionally, there are instances of graduates moving into roles that are significantly detached from Human Nutrition, like positions in business management or sales. Jobs like Branch Manager and Customer Support mostly focus on unrelated skills. Furthermore, while certain roles—like those in food service or as event coordinators—might touch upon nutrition, they don't fully leverage the specialized knowledge that comes from studying Human Nutrition. Overall, while a significant number of graduates find relevant careers that make good use of their backgrounds, a fair number also navigate towards occupations where their degree may not add much value.

In summary, the most common and relevant jobs for Human Nutrition graduates revolve around dietetics and clinical roles. Yet, the broader job market allows for many graduates to enter fields unrelated to their specialty, sometimes resulting in underutilization of their educational background. This disparity illustrates the diverse paths one can take with a Human Nutrition degree, which can lead to rewarding careers but doesn't always align perfectly with the field itself.

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

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Human Nutrition, a mixed bag emerges. Some graduates land straight into roles that directly relate to their field of study, while others veer off into unrelated or less typical paths. For a lot of them, particularly those who start out as dietetic interns, their first jobs tend to involve some sort of hands-on experience in nutrition, like working at hospitals, clinics, or food banks. This can offer a solid foundation in practical knowledge and skills which can be crucial for future positions as registered dietitians or health educators. For instance, the University of Massachusetts alumnus opened a private practice after a few years in clinical roles—a clear sign of progress in a nutrition-centric career.

However, not all paths are as straightforward. Several graduates seemed to drift into roles that, while still in the healthcare field, don’t directly utilize their human nutrition expertise. For example, individuals from Middle Tennessee State University and University of Kentucky ended up in management or teaching roles that might not heavily focus on nutrition. This indicates that some might find themselves needing to pivot after graduation, whether out of necessity or personal choice. Five to ten years down the line, some alumni are working as clinical dietitians or in managerial positions at health organizations, while others have found diverse roles that bear little relation to their original field of study, like pharmacy management or event operations.

Overall, it seems that while there are definite success stories of graduates establishing meaningful careers in nutrition-related sectors, there's also a notable number who may end up in unrelated fields. In many cases, the initial post-graduate job is a stepping stone, but the long-term results are varied. It's valuable for prospective students to understand that a degree in Human Nutrition can lead them on many paths, but staying aligned with their passion for nutrition might require additional effort and possibly more advanced qualifications or certifications down the road.

How hard is a Human Nutrition degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s definitely not the easiest major out there, but it’s also not the most brutal. You’ll dive into subjects like biochemistry, food science, and nutrition ethics, which can get pretty intense if you’re not into science. If you enjoy learning about how food impacts the body and you’re willing to put in the effort, you might find it manageable. Just be ready for some challenging coursework and a bit of memorization, especially if math isn’t your strong suit! But hey, if you’re passionate about it, that can make a world of difference in how hard it feels.

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 Human Nutrition.

Do Human Nutrition graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the careers of these Human Nutrition graduates, it's pretty clear that some are doing well financially while others are just getting started. For instance, graduates who moved into roles like intensive care nurses or physicians seem to be earning a solid income, especially those who have advanced through their careers and gained significant experience. On the other hand, a few recent graduates, especially those in intern positions or just entering the job market, may not be pulling in the big bucks yet, but they're laying the groundwork for better-paying roles down the line. It really shows that while some may start off slow, there’s plenty of room for growth in the nutrition field.

Overall, those with more established careers, like dietitians and specialized roles, are likely making decent money. However, the recent grads and those in early-career positions still have some climbing to do. The nutrition and healthcare sectors often offer good salaries, especially as professionals gain more experience and specialize in certain areas. So, if you're looking at a career in this field, know that your income potential can significantly increase as you progress in your career!

What buzzwords do Human Nutrition 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 Human Nutrition. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Human Nutrition?

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

College Score Count