Nutritionists are food and nutrition experts.
Above all, they promote health with their knowledge and nutrition information.
They advise people on what to eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Also, they often work with people who have health problems and who are undergoing critical treatment.
As it is possible to be qualified only as a nutritionist, it is also possible to specialize in several areas, such as sports, holistic, oncology, and pediatric.
According to the BLS, the average annual salary of a nutritionist in 2020 is $63,090.
Also, the average hourly rate is $30.33.
The states that have the highest average nutritionist salaries in 2020 are California ($81,070), Alaska ($78,350), District of Columbia ($73,150), Hawaii ($72,810), and New Jersey ($72,750).
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Average Costs
The Associate of Science degree in nutrition offers practical training that prepares students to work in the field.
It is not possible to become a licensed nutritionist at this stage but it is possible to be employed as a dietary technician under the supervision of a registered nutritionist or dietitian.
It is also an excellent foundation for continuing education and obtaining a license.
Students need 2 years to complete a degree and can receive on-the-job training through internships.
On average, it costs between $5,000 and $30,000.
Long Beach City College applies tuition of $1,556 for California residents and $11,144 for non-residents.
The 2021 tuition & fees of Harper College are $9,942 for Illinois residents and $11,754 for out-of-state students.
And the price for the off-campus room and board is about $18,041.
To become a registered dietitian, you must have a degree in nutrition, that is, a Bachelor of Science degree.
It usually lasts four years.
A solid foundation of nutrition theory is acquired along with practical work.
The price range from $11,000 to $80,000.
At the College of Allied Health Sciences, tuition and fees for an Ohio resident enrolled full-time in the BS in Nutrition and Dietetics is $11,430. Out-of-state full-time tuition and fees are $26,764.
Tuition and fees at Montclair State University for nutrition and food studies in 2021/22 will be $13,500 plus some additional fees.
A master’s degree costs in nutrition are in the range of $20,000 to $65,000.
Meredith College’s graduate Nutrition programs in Raleigh apply tuition of $610 per credit hour plus a semester program fee of $125.00.
Tuition is charged based on the number of credit hours which may vary.
Following this, the average price is $18,300 per year.
Pace University in Pleasantville, New York, charges tuition of $35,235 per year for MS Nutrition and Dietetics.
Nutritionist licensing varies from state to state and it cost between $100 and $350.
To become a licensed nutritionist in Minnesota, applicants must pay $325 ($175 nutritionist license application fee and $150 initial license fee).
At the same time, applicants in Pennsylvania need to pay $45.
Moreover, you need to renew the license every two years and it costs $65.
Additional Costs
Some colleges like Long Beach City College don’t offer on-campus housing.
So, if you don’t live with family, you need a budget for meals and housing.
The estimated price for meals and housing in the college area for one academic year is $15,084.
Off-campus students should budget for $4,698 in other living expenses.
Average costs for books and supplies are on average $2,000.
For example, if we add to the annual tuition of $35,235 the additional fees Pace University charges, such as standard fees of $1,080, health and accident insurance for 12 months of $1,500, books/personal expenses/transportation of $2,780, housing and meals of $21,000, the total annual cost climbs to as much as $61,595.
Discounts
Some colleges and groups offer scholarships to help students.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation grant individual scholarship ranging in value from $500 to $25,000 each.
Pace University is in 2020 for 1% of undergraduate students (87 of them) awarded scholarships in the average amount of $26,647.
