Mississippi offers several affordable and accessible nutrition degree programs, with tuition and program duration varying by degree level. An associate’s degree at Jones County Junior College typically takes two years, while a bachelor’s at Delta State University is a standard four-year program. Graduate degrees can take 1.5 to two years.
Annual estimated tuition ranges from $6,900 for undergraduates to over $31,000 for out-of-state graduate students. Mississippi State University provides a research-focused master’s program, and the University of Southern Mississippi offers a fully online master’s with an integrated dietetic internship, highlighting the state’s diverse offerings in clinical, research, and public health nutrition.
Take a look at our review of top ranked schools below.
2026 Best Nutrition Degree Programs in Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS - Public 4-Year - usm.edu
Bachelor's - Nutrition and Dietetics
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Southern Mississippi's Nutrition and Dietetics program is a campus-based bachelor's level offering that requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam. It provides a strong scientific foundation in nutrient effects on the body and food's role in disease prevention, with practical training in nutritional assessment, education, and food service management. Distinguished by a 93.4% first-time pass rate on the RD exam and 100% dietetic internship acceptance, it includes scholarships and research opportunities, preparing graduates for careers in clinical and community nutrition.
- 93.4% first-time RD pass rate
- 100% dietetic internship acceptance
- 9 program-specific scholarships
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Diverse career opportunities
- Strong foundation in sciences
- Experiential learning activities
- Community-based research opportunities
- Expert faculty with diverse backgrounds
- High placement rate in internships
Master's - Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Southern Mississippi offers a fully online Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems, a master's level program that requires an entrance exam such as the GRE. Focused on nutrition therapy, food systems management, and community nutrition, it features a 92.3% first-time RD exam pass rate, five scholarships, and an emphasis on evidence-based practice and global health. The program develops leadership and counseling skills through an engaged online community, preparing students for diverse roles without a specific concentration.
- Fully online program
- 92.3% RD exam pass rate
- Five scholarships available
- Focus on evidence-based practice
- Engaged faculty with expertise
- Strong online community
- Prepares for diverse nutrition roles
- Emphasis on global health
- Research integrated curriculum
- Leadership and counseling skills
Master's - Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
Concentration: Dietetics Practice - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Southern Mississippi's online Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems with a Dietetics Practice concentration is a master's level program that requires GRE scores. It integrates a dietetic internship, allowing completion in two years with no thesis, and focuses on clinical practice, research, and global health. With a total cost around $15,000 and out-of-state fees waived, it boasts a 92% graduation rate and prepares students for entry-level dietetics positions through capstone projects and innovative online learning.
- Fully online master's degree
- Integrated dietetic internship
- No thesis required
- GRE scores needed
- Approximately $15,000 total cost
- 92% graduate within two years
- Capstone research project
- Cutting-edge online learning
- Multiple nutrition practice areas
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS - Public 4-Year - msstate.edu
Master's - Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion
Concentration: Nutrition - Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi State University's Master of Science with a concentration in Nutrition delves into the biochemical effects of nutrients on health, preparing graduates for research, clinical, and public health roles. The program requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.00 GPA and English proficiency for international students. Coursework includes food science, statistics, and biochemistry, culminating in a research thesis. No entrance exam is specified for this master's level program, focusing on advanced nutritional science and diverse career readiness.
- Concentration in Nutrition
- Requires 3.00 GPA for admission
- English proficiency for international students
- Includes research thesis
- Covers food science and biochemistry
- Prepares for careers in research and public health
- Focus on biochemical impact of nutrients
- Admission requires baccalaureate degree
- Curriculum includes statistics
- Designed for diverse career paths
Delta State University
Cleveland, MS - Public 4-Year - deltastate.edu
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
Concentration: Nutrition/Dietetics - Campus Based - Visit Website
Delta State University's Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a Nutrition/Dietetics concentration is a campus-based program that integrates 1200 hours of supervised practice with academic coursework, equipping students for the registered dietitian exam and careers in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, and foodservice management. Admission requires a 2.75 overall GPA and 3.0 science GPA, with no mention of an ACT or SAT exam requirement, focusing on competitive standards for professional preparation in dietetics.
- 1200 hours supervised practice
- Prepares for RD exam
- Entry-level dietitian careers
- Comprehensive nutrition education
- Competitive admission requirements
Jones County Junior College
Ellisville, MS - Public 2-Year - jcjc.edu
Associate - Food & Nutrition and Dietetics
Campus Based - Visit Website
Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS, offers an Associate of Arts in Food & Nutrition and Dietetics, ideal for students planning to transfer to a bachelor's program. The curriculum includes core courses in nutrition, anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, and biology, along with general education requirements. It is designed to align with Mississippi's transfer agreements, facilitating smooth credit transitions. As an associate-level program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams. This foundational program prepares students for advanced studies in dietetics and health sciences, incorporating public speaking to enhance communication skills.
- Associate of Arts degree
- Designed for university transfer
- Includes nutrition and anatomy courses
- Meets Mississippi transfer agreements
- Covers general education requirements
- Courses in chemistry and biology
- Public speaking included
- Focus on health sciences
- Structured for dietetics studies
- Smooth credit transition ensured
2026 Most Affordable Nutrition Programs in MS
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University of Southern Mississippi |
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Delta State University |
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Mississippi State University |
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List of Mississippi Nutrition Degree Programs - Associate, Bachelors, Masters
Cleveland, MS
Delta State University
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
Concentration: Nutrition/Dietetics - Campus Based - Website
- 1200 hours supervised practice
- Prepares for RD exam
- Entry-level dietitian careers
- Comprehensive nutrition education
- Competitive admission requirements
Ellisville, MS
Jones County Junior College
- Associate - Food & Nutrition and Dietetics
Campus Based - Website
- Associate of Arts degree
- Designed for university transfer
- Includes nutrition and anatomy courses
- Meets Mississippi transfer agreements
- Covers general education requirements
- Courses in chemistry and biology
- Public speaking included
- Focus on health sciences
Hattiesburg, MS
University of Southern Mississippi
- Bachelor's - Nutrition and Dietetics
Campus Based - Website
- 93.4% first-time RD pass rate
- 100% dietetic internship acceptance
- 9 program-specific scholarships
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Diverse career opportunities
- Strong foundation in sciences
- Experiential learning activities
- Community-based research opportunities
- Master's - Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program
- 92.3% RD exam pass rate
- Five scholarships available
- Focus on evidence-based practice
- Engaged faculty with expertise
- Strong online community
- Prepares for diverse nutrition roles
- Emphasis on global health
- Master's - Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Systems
Concentration: Dietetics Practice - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online master's degree
- Integrated dietetic internship
- No thesis required
- GRE scores needed
- Approximately $15,000 total cost
- 92% graduate within two years
- Nationally ranked online program
- Capstone research project
Mississippi State, MS
Mississippi State University
- Master's - Master of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion
Concentration: Nutrition - Campus Based - Website
- Concentration in Nutrition
- Requires 3.00 GPA for admission
- English proficiency for international students
- Includes research thesis
- Covers food science and biochemistry
- Prepares for careers in research and public health
- Focus on biochemical impact of nutrients
- Admission requires baccalaureate degree