Ranking by format and cost

Best ACEND Accredited Nutrition and Dietetics Programs

If it is not ACEND accredited, you cannot become an RDN. That is not our opinion, it is the credentialing rule. This ranking is the subset of our database where that gate is actually open.

152programs in this category
89institutions
38states represented
42with an online option
Rachel Weng
Reviewed by Rachel Weng Director of Dietetics Education and Career Pathways
AI Summary

Best ACEND Accredited Nutrition Programs: our database holds 152 matching programs at 89 institutions across 38 states, each linked to its official program page. 42 document an online option and 152 sit at institutions holding an ACEND accredited program. Median published tuition across the programs that publish a figure is $21,344 a year. Scores come from the Nutrition Program Quality Index 2026, a seven-factor index of 100 points covering curriculum rigor (18), supervised practice (17), faculty credentials (15), program accreditation (15), clinical and community partnerships (15), career outcomes (10), and cost value (10). Federal context: the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median wage of $73,850 for dietitians and nutritionists with 6 percent projected growth to 2034. Our own Career Outcomes Survey 2026 of 1,154 nutrition and dietetics graduates found 86 percent employed within six months. No institution pays for placement here. Last reviewed August 14, 2026.

Our take on this category

Not all nutrition programs are created equal. If a program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, you cannot become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, no matter how rigorous the coursework or how famous the university. ACEND is the gatekeeper to the profession. Do not waste years on a program that cannot issue a verification statement.

What is in this ranking

Programs at institutions holding an ACEND accredited program of any type: didactic, coordinated, graduate, dietetic internship, dietetic technician, or advanced practice doctoral. Every entry below links to the institution's own program page, because that page is the authoritative source for curriculum, cost, and accreditation, and our record is a pointer to it rather than a replacement for it.

We show one entry per institution in the ranked list, keeping that institution's strongest scoring record, so a university running four related programs does not occupy four positions. The full matching set appears further down the page.

CompositionDetail
Credential levels represented Master (84), Bachelor (41), Certificate (18), Associate (5), Doctorate (4)
Subject classifications Dietetics (73), Nutrition Science (56), Public Health (9), Clinical (7), Education (6), Food Service (5)
ACEND program types at these institutions DPD (98), DI (82), GP (54), CP (21), DT (5), APD (5)
Documenting supervised practice 134 of 152 programs
Median published annual tuition $21,344, across the 109 programs publishing a figure

How we scored these programs

With the Nutrition Program Quality Index 2026. Seven factors, 100 points, every one of them computed from information an institution or the accreditor publishes. That constraint is deliberate: it means a score you disagree with can be traced to a specific factor rather than to our taste.

FactorWeightWhat it measures
Curriculum rigor18Depth and specificity of the published curriculum: named coursework in medical nutrition therapy, biochemistry, assessment, and food systems rather than a generic degree title, plus published credit load.
Supervised practice and internship17Whether the program documents supervised practice, and how much: an integrated internship, a documented hour count, or a coordinated pathway scores above a program that leaves placement entirely to the student.
Faculty credentials15Evidence of credentialed practitioner faculty and graduate-level departmental depth, read from the number and range of related programs the academic unit runs.
Program accreditation15ACEND accreditation status where applicable, and the type of accredited program the institution holds: coordinated and graduate programs that carry both coursework and supervised practice score highest.
Clinical and community partnerships15Published evidence of clinical, community, or food service partner sites, rotations, practicum placements, or affiliated hospital and agency relationships.
Career outcomes10Institution-level completion data and published program scale, used as a proxy for whether students finish. We do not use self-reported placement rates.
Cost value10Published tuition relative to the credential level, with public in-state institutions and community colleges scoring higher because debt load is the strongest single predictor of whether this career pays off.

Scores cluster. In a database built from published attributes, the difference between a program at 84 and one at 81 is usually one documentation decision by a marketing office, not a difference in education. Treat the top group as a shortlist of comparable options and choose within it on cost, location, and supervised practice.

Best ACEND Accredited Nutrition Programs: the ranked list

One entry per institution, ordered by Quality Index score. Every card links to the official program page. ACEND accreditation is flagged on every card because it is the gate to the RDN credential.

  • ACEND program at an institution holding ACEND accreditation
  • Not ACEND no ACEND program type in our record; verify independently

Master · Online available

Master's in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics Online ACEND DPD, GP

Southeast Missouri State University · Missouri

Location
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$8,559
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
58% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Southeast Missouri State University lists 34 credits, 1000 supervised-practice hours, a tuition figure of $16,732.80 published tuition, and DPD verification statement required. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Online Master of Science in Nutrition ACEND DI, DPD

University of Houston · Texas

Location
Houston, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$21,515
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
65% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, University of Houston lists 30 credits, 1000 supervised-practice hours, and a 3.0 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and foodservice management. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Dietetics, MS / Dietetics Internship ACEND DI, DPD

Marshall University · West Virginia

Location
Huntington, West Virginia
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$18,748
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
51% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Marshall University lists a 1-year schedule, 1070 supervised-practice hours, and a 3.0 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and foodservice management. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Integrated Graduate Nutrition Program (M.S.) ACEND APD, DI, DPD, GP

University of North Florida · Florida

Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$16,799
Accreditation
Candidate for Accreditation
Completion rate
69% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, University of North Florida lists a 4-semester schedule, 39 credits, 1,000 supervised-practice hours, and DPD verification statement required. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and foodservice management. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition ACEND DPD, GP

University of Alaska Anchorage · Alaska

Location
Anchorage, Alaska
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$19,776
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
30% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, University of Alaska Anchorage lists a 2-year schedule, 1,000 supervised-practice hours, a 3.0 minimum GPA, and DPD verification statement required. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, foodservice management, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Online Master of Science in Nutrition (MS) ACEND DI, DPD, GP

Samford University · Alabama

Location
Birmingham, Alabama
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$39,000
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
77% institution wide
Control
Private nonprofit

Program details On its program page, Samford University lists a 4-semester schedule, 25 credits, 1000 supervised-practice hours, and a 3.0 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Nutrition and Food Systems - Master's ACEND DI, DPD

University of Southern Mississippi · Mississippi

Location
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$11,888
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
49% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, The University of Southern Mississippi lists 30 credits, 1000 supervised-practice hours, and a 2.70 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and foodservice management. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Bachelor

Nutrition and Dietetics, B.S. ACEND DPD, GP

North Carolina Central University · North Carolina

Location
Durham, North Carolina
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$16,764
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
42% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, North Carolina Central University lists a 4-year schedule, 120 credits, and a 2.0 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and maternal and pediatric nutrition. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition ACEND DI, DPD, GP

Appalachian State University · North Carolina

Location
Boone, North Carolina
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$21,875
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
75% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Appalachian State University lists a 2-year schedule. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition - UNE Online ACEND GP

University of New England · Maine

Location
Biddeford, Maine
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$42,650
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
68% institution wide
Control
Private nonprofit

Program details On its program page, University of New England lists a 2-year schedule, 48 credits, 1214 supervised-practice hours, a tuition figure of $1,425 published tuition, a 3.0 minimum GPA, and DPD verification statement required. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and foodservice management. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Bachelor

Dietetics BS ACEND DI, DPD

University of Northern Colorado · Colorado

Location
Greeley, Colorado
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$24,125
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
51% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, University of Northern Colorado lists a 18-month schedule and 75 credits. Areas highlighted include community and public health, foodservice management, and sports nutrition. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Food and Nutrition Education Degree, Master of Science - Academics - IUP ACEND DPD, GP

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus · Pennsylvania

Location
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$11,200
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
56% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Indiana University of Pennsylvania lists a 2-year schedule, 54 credits, and a 3.25 minimum GPA. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition counseling. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Master of Science in Nutrition ACEND DI, GP

Stony Brook University · New York

Location
Stony Brook, New York
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$28,880
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
76% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Stony Brook University lists 50 credits. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, foodservice management, and integrative and functional nutrition. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics Online ACEND GP

Adelphi University · New York

Location
Garden City, New York
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$46,784
Accreditation
Candidate for Accreditation
Completion rate
67% institution wide
Control
Private nonprofit

Program details On its program page, Adelphi University lists 62 credits and 785 supervised-practice hours. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Nutrition Masters ACEND DI, DPD

Illinois State University · Illinois

Location
Normal, Illinois
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$22,863
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
65% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Illinois State University lists DPD verification statement required. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, community and public health, and nutrition research. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Nutrition Science Master's Degree ACEND GP

King's College · Pennsylvania

Location
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$42,000
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
60% institution wide
Control
Private nonprofit

Program details On its program page, King's College lists a 2-year schedule, 42 credits, 1,100 supervised-practice hours, and a tuition figure of $18,249 published tuition. Areas highlighted include nutrition research, maternal and pediatric nutrition, and leadership and entrepreneurship. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Master

Public Health Nutrition ACEND CP, DI, DPD, GP

Utah State University · Utah

Location
Logan, Utah
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$24,060
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
59% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Nutrition Science ACEND DI, DPD

University of Kansas · Kansas

Location
Lawrence, Kansas
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$29,298
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
69% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics ACEND DI, DPD

Texas Tech University · Texas

Location
Lubbock, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$21,240
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
69% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Science in Community Nutrition ACEND DI, DPD

West Chester University of Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania

Location
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$19,290
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
71% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Didactic Program in Dietetics ACEND DI, DPD

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Ohio

Location
Bowling Green, Ohio
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$19,393
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
64% institution wide
Control
Public

Program details On its program page, Bowling Green State University lists a 4-year schedule. Areas highlighted include medical nutrition therapy, sports nutrition, and maternal and pediatric nutrition. Details reviewed Jul 2026 · Program website →

Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Online at A-state ACEND CP

Arkansas State University · Arkansas

Location
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$13,920
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
55% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Certificate

Dietetic Internship ACEND DI, DPD

Auburn University · Alabama

Location
Auburn, Alabama
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$33,048
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
82% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Master

Master's Degree in Nutrition and Food Systems ACEND CP, DPD

University of Kentucky · Kentucky

Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Delivery
On campus
Published tuition
$32,747
Accreditation
ACEND program at this school
Completion rate
71% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Professional Science Master in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics ACEND DPD, GP

University of Arizona · Arizona

Location
Tucson, Arizona
Delivery
Online option documented
Published tuition
$38,165
Accreditation
Accredited
Completion rate
68% institution wide
Control
Public
Visit official program page
Every other matching program in our database (127)
ProgramInstitutionStateLevelScoreOfficial page
Nutrition & Dietetics - Didactic Program in Dietetics (B.S.) University of North Florida Florida Bachelor 73.8 Visit ↗
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN), Fully Online University of North Florida Florida Doctorate, online 73.1 Visit ↗
Master of Science Nutrition Public Health Nutrition Dietetics Appalachian State University North Carolina Master 69.4 Visit ↗
Bachelor of Science, Dietetics University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Bachelor 67.1 Visit ↗
Dietetics Master’s University of Northern Colorado Colorado Master 66.6 Visit ↗
Online Dietetics, MS / Dietetics Internship Marshall University West Virginia Master, online 64.9 Visit ↗
Graduate Programs in Public Health Nutrition Appalachian State University North Carolina Master 63.9 Visit ↗
Public Health Nutrition (MPH) Utah State University Utah Master 62.9 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Master, online 62.2 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition University of Kansas Kansas Master 61.3 Visit ↗
View Kansas' Online Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition University of Kansas Kansas Master, online 61.3 Visit ↗
BS Nutrition and Foods Appalachian State University North Carolina Bachelor 60.8 Visit ↗
Dietetics Utah State University Utah Bachelor 60.7 Visit ↗
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition University of Kansas Kansas Doctorate 60.4 Visit ↗
Integrated Graduate Nutrition Program Master of Science University of North Florida Florida Master 60.3 Visit ↗
Online Bachelor of Science, Dietetics University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Bachelor, online 60.1 Visit ↗
Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods University of Houston Texas Bachelor 60.0 Visit ↗
Nutrition Science Utah State University Utah Bachelor 59.7 Visit ↗
Online Master's Degree in Nutrition and Food Systems University of Kentucky Kentucky Master, online 59.4 Visit ↗
Nutrition, Nutrition/Dietetics Option (NTDI) Auburn University Alabama Bachelor 59.3 Visit ↗
Dietetics Major Illinois State University Illinois Bachelor 59.2 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition University of Houston Texas Master, online 59.1 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition Illinois State University Illinois Master, online 58.9 Visit ↗
Dietetics BS Degree Program Marshall University West Virginia Bachelor 58.9 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Texas Tech University Texas Certificate 58.9 Visit ↗
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Southeast Missouri State University Missouri Bachelor 58.7 Visit ↗
Online Dietetics Master’s University of Northern Colorado Colorado Master, online 58.6 Visit ↗
Online Master’s in Medical Nutrition Arizona State University Digital Immersion Arizona Master, online 58.2 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetic Technician AAS Central Arizona College Arizona Associate 58.0 Visit ↗
Nutritional Sciences, M.S. (Distance Education Program) North Carolina Central University North Carolina Master, online 58.0 Visit ↗
Online Nutritional Sciences, M.S. (Distance Education Program) North Carolina Central University North Carolina Master, online 58.0 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics West Chester University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Bachelor 57.9 Visit ↗
Applied Nutrition: Dietetics (PSM) University of Arizona Arizona Master, online 57.6 Visit ↗
Doctoral Degree in Nutritional Sciences University of Kentucky Kentucky Doctorate 57.6 Visit ↗
Mda Utah State University Utah Master 57.4 Visit ↗
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics University of Central Arkansas Arkansas Bachelor 57.3 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition Stony Brook University New York Master, online 57.2 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics (BS) Samford University Alabama Bachelor 57.0 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Program Viterbo University Wisconsin Certificate 56.7 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics with Supervised Learning SUNY Oneonta New York Master 56.6 Visit ↗
Dietetics, BS Arizona State University Digital Immersion Arizona Bachelor 56.3 Visit ↗
Nutritional Sciences Texas Tech University Texas Bachelor 56.3 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition Auburn University Alabama Master 56.2 Visit ↗
Dietetics Combined Pathway Bachelor of Science And Master of Science SUNY Buffalo State University New York Master 56.1 Visit ↗
Master's in Nutritional Science Arizona State University Digital Immersion Arizona Master, online 55.7 Visit ↗
Registered Dietitian Arkansas State University Arkansas Master, online 55.4 Visit ↗
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition West Chester University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Bachelor 55.4 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition (MS) Samford University Alabama Master, online 55.3 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition University of Central Arkansas Arkansas Master 55.3 Visit ↗
View Central Arkansas' Online Master of Science in Nutrition University of Central Arkansas Arkansas Master, online 55.3 Visit ↗
Dietitian Degree Program, Bachelor of Science Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Pennsylvania Bachelor 55.1 Visit ↗
Exercise & Nutrition Sciences North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota Master 55.1 Visit ↗
Medical Nutrition Education, Dietetics and Nutrition University of Nebraska Medical Center Nebraska Master 55.1 Visit ↗
Nutrition Auburn University Alabama Master 54.7 Visit ↗
Professional Practice in Dietetics Iowa State University Iowa Certificate 54.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship New Mexico State University New Mexico Certificate 54.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Northwest Missouri State University Missouri Certificate 54.6 Visit ↗
UofM Global Master of Science Exercise Nutrition Degree University of Memphis Tennessee Master 54.5 Visit ↗
Bachelor's Degree in Human Nutrition University of Kentucky Kentucky Bachelor 54.4 Visit ↗
Dietetic Experiential Track Marywood University Pennsylvania Certificate 54.2 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Program Marywood University Pennsylvania Certificate 54.2 Visit ↗
Nutrition Dietetics Master of Science Central Michigan University Michigan Master 54.1 Visit ↗
Nutrition Dietetic Internship Program Simmons University Massachusetts Certificate 54.1 Visit ↗
Master of Science Coordinated Program in Dietetics Wayne State University Michigan Master 54.1 Visit ↗
Online Master's in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Abilene Christian University Texas Master, online 54.0 Visit ↗
BAS in Applied Nutrition and Health Arizona State University Digital Immersion Arizona Bachelor, online 53.8 Visit ↗
Food and Nutrition Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Ohio Master, online 53.8 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition Murray State University Kentucky Master 53.7 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition Murray State University Kentucky Master, online 53.7 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition East Carolina University North Carolina Master 53.5 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Nutrition East Carolina University North Carolina Master, online 53.5 Visit ↗
Dietetics Internship Oakwood University Alabama Certificate 53.4 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics Oakwood University Alabama Bachelor 53.3 Visit ↗
Internship Program In Dietetics Lamar University Texas Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Minnesota Mayo Clinic-Rochester Minnesota Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Nutrition Science North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota Master 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Program Russell Sage College New York Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Online Nutrition and Food Systems - Master's The University of Southern Mississippi Mississippi Master, online 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship University of Delaware Delaware Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetics Internship University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Illinois Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway University of Maine Maine Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Master of Science Dietetics Msd University of Vermont Vermont Master 52.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Western Carolina University North Carolina Certificate 52.6 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics Graduate Program Cox College Missouri Master 52.2 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Applied Nutrition - UNE Online University of New England Maine Master, online 52.0 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Nutrition Viterbo University Wisconsin Master 51.7 Visit ↗
Online Food and Nutrition Education Degree, Master of Science Indiana University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Master, online 51.6 Visit ↗
Non-thesis Track: M.S. Nutrition & Dietetics Indiana University-Indianapolis Indiana Master 51.6 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics Undergraduate Program Missouri State University-Springfield Missouri Bachelor 51.5 Visit ↗
Master of Science In Nutrition And Dietetics Antioch University Ohio Master 51.1 Visit ↗
Master Science Clinical Nutrition Emory University Georgia Master 51.1 Visit ↗
Online Master of Public Health Nd University of South Florida Florida Master, online 51.1 Visit ↗
Master's Degree Nutrition & Human Performance Logan University Missouri Master 50.5 Visit ↗
Online Master's Degree Nutrition & Human Performance Logan University Missouri Master, online 50.5 Visit ↗
M.S. in Nutrition CUNY Lehman College New York Master 50.3 Visit ↗
Nutrition Degree Program University of New England Maine Bachelor 50.2 Visit ↗
Nutrition Science King's College Pennsylvania Master 49.9 Visit ↗
B.S. Dietetics University of Wisconsin-Stout Wisconsin Bachelor 49.9 Visit ↗
Dietitian Education Track University of Alabama at Birmingham Alabama Master 49.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Internship Cedar Crest College Pennsylvania Certificate 48.7 Visit ↗
Dietetics Eastern Michigan University Michigan Bachelor 48.6 Visit ↗
Graduate Programs in Applied Human Sciences Harding University Arkansas Master 48.6 Visit ↗
Dietetics University of Hawaii at Manoa Hawaii Bachelor 48.6 Visit ↗
Nutrition, B.S. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona California Bachelor 48.0 Visit ↗
Master of Science in Integrative Nutrition Bastyr University Washington Master 47.8 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Integrative Nutrition Bastyr University Washington Master, online 47.8 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics, MS (prior BS/BA or International students) Loma Linda University California Master 47.6 Visit ↗
Online Master's of Science Degree in Nutrition Johnson & Wales University-Online Rhode Island Master, online 47.0 Visit ↗
Foods and Nutrition Saint Elizabeth University New Jersey Master 46.7 Visit ↗
Community Health and Nutrition - Master's Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Master 46.6 Visit ↗
Community Health and Nutrition Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Bachelor 46.2 Visit ↗
Nutrition (BS) Abilene Christian University Texas Bachelor 45.9 Visit ↗
Online Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Master, online 44.9 Visit ↗
Online Bachelor of Science in Dietetics Kansas State University Kansas Bachelor, online 44.1 Visit ↗
Food Service Management Pierpont Community and Technical College West Virginia Associate 44.1 Visit ↗
Master of Science Nutrition Dietetics Grand Canyon University Arizona Master 43.1 Visit ↗
Online Didactic Program in Dietetics Bowling Green State University Ohio Bachelor, online 42.6 Visit ↗
Dietetic Technician Programs Community College of Allegheny County Pennsylvania Associate 42.6 Visit ↗
Nutrition Cedar Crest College Pennsylvania Master 42.2 Visit ↗
Graduate Didactic Program in Dietetics Georgia State University Georgia Master 42.1 Visit ↗
Nutrition and Dietetics Tarrant County College Texas Associate 42.1 Visit ↗
Dit S Associate of Applied Science Sinclair Community College Ohio Associate 40.1 Visit ↗
Nutrition Sciences Drexel University Pennsylvania Bachelor 39.6 Visit ↗
Health Sciences and Nutrition Western Illinois University Illinois Bachelor 39.6 Visit ↗
Nutrition Old Dominion University Virginia Bachelor, online 35.1 Visit ↗
Dietetics Major Olivet Nazarene University Illinois Bachelor 34.5 Visit ↗
Course Requirements Ursuline College Ohio Bachelor 33.6 Visit ↗

Reading the ACEND program codes

These codes decide whether a program moves you toward the RDN credential, and they are the most consequential four letters in this field. Learn them before you compare anything else.

CodeWhat it means
DPDDidactic Program in Dietetics: accredited coursework, no supervised practice
CPCoordinated Program: accredited coursework and supervised practice combined
GPGraduate Program: accredited coursework and supervised practice at graduate level
DIDietetic Internship: supervised practice for those holding accredited coursework
DTDietetic Technician Program: the associate level route to the NDTR credential
APDAdvanced Practice Doctoral Program in clinical nutrition

The distinction that catches people is DPD against CP or GP. A Didactic Program gives you accredited coursework and nothing else, which means you still need to win a separate competitive internship placement afterward. A Coordinated or Graduate Program carries both. If you are choosing between two otherwise equal programs and one is a GP, choose the GP.

How to compare two programs that score the same

This happens constantly, and it is where the real decision lives. Two programs three points apart are, for practical purposes, equivalent on everything a national index can see. So compare them on the things it cannot.

Six questions, two phone calls each. That is a day of work against a decision worth years, and it will separate two programs our index cannot separate.

What the index cannot tell you about these programs

Those exclusions are not modesty, they are the limits of national published data. Which is why the four checks below matter more than any position in the list above.

Five questions to ask before you enroll

What this means for you

If you want to become an RDN, discard every program that is not ACEND accredited before you compare anything else. Then decide on supervised practice: who arranges it, at which named sites, and what happens when a placement falls through. Then get a net cost figure from the financial aid office. Ranking position is a tiebreaker among programs that already pass those three tests. It is not a reason to ignore them.

If you do not want the RDN, say that out loud before you enroll. Plenty of nutrition careers do not require it. What they do require is honesty about scope: you will not be providing medical nutrition therapy in a hospital, and a program that implies otherwise is not preparing you, it is selling you.

What these programs lead to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $73,850 for dietitians and nutritionists across about 90,900 jobs, with roughly 6,200 openings a year and 6 percent projected growth through 2034. The lowest 10 percent earned under $48,830 and the highest 10 percent above $101,760, which is a wider spread than most students expect inside a single occupation.

Our own Nutrition and Dietetics Career Outcomes Survey 2026 of 1,154 nutrition and dietetics graduates found 86 percent employed within six months, with clinical dietetics the largest destination at 28 percent. Those are our figures from a self-selected sample, not a federal statistic, and we label them that way wherever they appear. See the Career Outcomes Survey 2026 and the full research report for the limitations.

Related reading: career guides by occupation, credentials compared, how we score programs, ACEND accredited programs, and programs by state.

Frequently asked questions

What is ACEND accreditation?

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics is the accrediting body for dietetics education in the United States. It accredits specific programs, not institutions. A university can be regionally accredited and still have a nutrition degree that does not lead to the RDN credential. That distinction is the single most expensive misunderstanding in this field.

Can you become an RDN without an ACEND accredited program?

No. The Commission on Dietetic Registration requires ACEND accredited coursework and ACEND accredited supervised practice, plus a graduate degree, before you are eligible to sit the examination. There is no alternative pathway for domestic applicants, and any program implying otherwise is selling you something. International applicants have a separate, documented process, which is not a shortcut around accreditation.

What is the difference between full accreditation and candidacy?

Full accreditation means the program has completed a self-study and a site visit and currently meets ACEND standards. Candidacy for accreditation means the program is in the process and has not yet been granted full status. Candidacy programs can enroll students, but they carry more risk: if accreditation is not granted, those students may not receive a verification statement. Confirm the current status with ACEND, not with the program brochure.

Does ACEND accreditation guarantee a good program?

No, and we would rather say that than pretend a binary flag is a ranking. Accreditation is a floor, not a ceiling. It tells you the program can make you examination eligible. It does not tell you whether the department arranges strong placements, whether faculty still practise, or whether the net cost is sane. That is why accredited programs still get scored on the other six factors in our index, and why accreditation is 15 of 100 points rather than a veto that hides everything else.

How do I verify ACEND accreditation myself?

Search the ACEND accredited program directory for the specific program, not the university. Check the program type (DPD, CP, GP, DI, DT, or APD) and whether the status is accredited or candidate. Save a copy of what you see. Program pages lag, marketing copy overstates, and accreditation is the one fact that is cheap to confirm and expensive to get wrong.

Rachel Weng
Reviewed by Rachel Weng Director of Dietetics Education and Career Pathways
Verify before you decide: accreditation status, tuition, curriculum, and supervised practice arrangements change, sometimes mid-year. Every card above links to the institution's own page, which is the authoritative source, and ACEND is the authoritative source for accreditation. Our database covers 177 programs at 113 institutions and is not exhaustive. Nothing here is medical or dietary advice.