Best HBCU Nutrition Programs | BestColleges

The largest HBCU in the country, N.C. A&T has a BS in food and nutritional sciences with two concentrations: food science and human nutrition. The human nutrition concentration has nutrition and pre-medicine tracks. 

The nutrition programs run through the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, one of the oldest departments in the school and one of the few accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. 

N.C. A&T also has more than 10 nutrition-related research labs, including the Human Nutrition and Performance Lab, the Community Nutrition and Health Disparities Lab, and the Molecular Nutrition Laboratory. 

Founded in 1867, Howard is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country and a leader in STEM. The BS in nutritional sciences includes concentrations in dietetics, health education, management, and pre-medicine/pre-dentistry.  

Howard’s dietetics concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Not only does it qualify you for the CDR examination for dietitians, but Howard also offers a standalone three-semester practicum to help you meet the clinical requirements for registration.  

FVSU was founded in 1895 and offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, including a BS in family and consumer sciences with a food and nutrition concentration. FVSU is one of the top 10 colleges producing African-American graduates in this field. 

FVSU offers you one of the lowest in-state tuition rates at just over $2,500 per semester. The school also runs one of only two food science bachelor’s programs in the state.  

PVAMU was founded in 1876, making it the second-oldest public university in Texas. The school’s BS in dietetics has three concentrations, including a food service management track, a health and wellness track, and an ACEND-accredited registered dietitian track. Each concentration features a semester-long internship. 

Students in this HBCU nutrition program have access to PVAMU’s Cooperative Agricultural Research Center. The school also runs Heroes4Health, an initiative that offers nutrition- and wellness-related instruction and events to the neighboring communities.  

DSU started as the State College for Colored Students in 1891. The school now has nearly 50 undergraduate programs, including a BS in food and nutritional sciences. This program features concentrations in nutritional science, food science, and dietetics, which is ACEND-accredited.

DSU has plenty to offer you as a nutrition student, including access to the Food Microbiology and Microbial Omics lab and the Food Chemistry Lab. The school has small class sizes, around 16 students, and tuition rates are about $3,500 per semester. 

Founded in 1881, TU has grown from a class of 30 in a single-room shanty to more than 3,000 students in over 64 programs. The department of food and nutritional sciences has several bachelor’s programs, including food science, nutritional science, public health nutrition, and dietetics. 

This TU department also houses one of only two NASA-funded centers for space food science, plus an agricultural experiment station and an integrative sustainability center. While it has the resources of a larger school, TU keeps its classrooms small and engaging at around 13 students.  

Alcorn was founded in 1871 and is the oldest land-grant HBCU in the country. The school’s Department of Human Sciences offers two degrees, including a bachelor’s in food, nutrition and community health sciences.

Alcorn tends to keep class sizes at around 15 students per teacher. The school also features an affordable tuition rate of $4,000 per semester. Alcorn has an industrial laboratory kitchen for the internship and practical components of the HBCU nutrition program. 

UDC’s roots go back to 1851 with the Miner Normal School. The school’s 81 programs include a BS in nutrition in dietetics that prepares graduates for the CDR credentialing exam. This is the only ACEND-accredited dietetics program in Washington, D.C.

With tuition rates under $4,000 per semester, UDC has the lowest tuition rate in Washington, D.C. The school also hosts the Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health, which runs community education and training programs. 

Founded in 1875, AAMU has 60 programs across four colleges. The College of Agricultural, Life, and Natural Sciences offers a nutrition and hospitality program with two concentrations: hospitality management and a general or didactic program in dietetics. 

As a full-time student, you’ll pay a little over $300 per credit. AAMU also has a food science program with employment and graduation rates between 80% and 90%, respectively — some of the highest numbers in the industry.  

SCSU was founded in 1896 and is the only public HBCU in the state. The school’s BS in nutrition and food management offers a didactic program in dietetics and a food management track. SCSU offers the only ACEND-accredited program in South Carolina.

At SCSU, you’ll pay just over $11,000 per year in tuition. As a food and agricultural sciences student, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Agriculture Innovation Scholarship program, which awards up to $10,000 a year.