Food Science

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

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What is Food Science?

This major combines chemistry, biology, and engineering to improve food. You will learn how to improve product safety, quality, and affordability. Food Science will teach you about the psychology of humans and their connection to food. You will also learn about food production and how raw materials become safe food products. Other topics cover problems with harvesting, handling, and storing foods. You will have the opportunity to work in interactive classrooms, labs, and field trips to specialized operations.

Career Options

Flavor chemistry
Quality assurance
Package design
Product development
Sensory evaluation
Technical sales

Post-Graduation Success¹

Insufficient survey data is available for employment information.

Insufficient survey data is available for grad school attendance.

Insufficient survey data is available for average starting annual income.

Sample employer destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample employer destinations.

Sample grad school destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample grad school destinations.

Program Resources

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong science and math coursework and performance
Experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

3.9 years to degree

99% returned for second year

74% graduated within 4 years

83% graduated within 6 years

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $15,838
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $40,578

Non-Resident

Tuition: $38,514
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $63,594

International

Tuition: $39,556
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $64,636

Dietetics and Nutrition - ACES

Hospitality Management - ACES

Molecular and Cellular Biology - LAS

Nutrition and Health - ACES

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.