Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services: is this undergraduate certificate or diploma worth it?
National picture across 3 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$43,380 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$43,380Median year-4 earnings
$10,047Average institution net-price context
$17,237Median federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$43,380Median reported earnings · year 4
$40,445Average reported earnings · year 5
$17,237Median federal debt
34thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
5IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
3With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 1 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
CURRENT VIEW
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $43,380
- Federal debt
- $17,237
- Reporting programs
- 3
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,029
- Federal debt
- $6,000
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,804
- Federal debt
- $24,497
- Reporting programs
- 76
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,515
- Federal debt
- $25,925
- Reporting programs
- 3
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $63,165
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 34
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $82,401
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $62,867
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 7
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,497
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,652National median$43,38075th percentile$43,380
3 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
3 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend, KS · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,749Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$9,9052Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · PublicYear-4 earnings$43,380Federal debt$24,912Annual net price$11,6683Tennessee College of Applied Technology-ElizabethtonElizabethton, TN · PublicYear-4 earnings$39,652Federal debt$9,562Annual net price$8,568
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Barton County Community College$51,7492Indiana University-Indianapolis$43,3803Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton$39,652Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →12%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Dietitians and Nutritionists$76,400 median wage77,570 U.S. jobs · SOC 29-1031+7.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$49,090–$103,720 10th–90th percentileDietetic Technicians$37,640 median wage31,560 U.S. jobs · SOC 29-2051+2.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$29,720–$54,020 10th–90th percentile
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barton County Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Great Bend, KS | $51,749 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,905 |
| 2 | Indiana University-IndianapolisUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Indianapolis, IN | $43,380 | $24,912 | Baseline needed | $11,668 |
| 3 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-ElizabethtonUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Elizabethton, TN | $39,652 | $9,562 | Baseline needed | $8,568 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.