DegreeCalc

Food Science Degree in Miami, FL — Salary & ROI 2026

Food Science degree analysis for Miami, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$49K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$76K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.7 yrs

in Miami

Cost of Living

98

index (100 = avg)

Food Science in Miami, FL Overview

Miami, Florida (pop. 442,241) has 12 colleges offering Food Science programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,191/month. Food Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Food Safety and Food Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Miami is approximately $49,000, growing to $76,440 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

12

Public Tuition

$6,556/yr

Private Tuition

$44,890/yr

Room & Board

$10,667/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$10,348/yr

Unemployment

6.5%

Graduation Rate

45%

Food Science Salary in Miami (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Miami's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,000($-1,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$76,440($-1,560 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$93,100($-1,900 vs national)

Note: National average Food Science salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Miami adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.

Food Science ROI Calculator for Miami

Estimate your return on investment for a Food Science degree using local Miami tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $6,556 | Private avg: $44,890

Miami avg aid: $10,348/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$68,892

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$14,700

vs HS diploma in Miami

ROI Payback Period

4.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Miami

$401,508

Lifetime earnings premium ($470,400) minus total education cost ($68,892)

Student Loan Payoff for Food Science in Miami

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$68,892
Monthly Payment$782
Total Interest$24,979
% of Monthly Income19%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$68,892
Monthly Payment$1,348
Total Interest$11,985
Interest Savings$12,994

Colleges in Miami for Food Science

University of Miami

private

$56,580/yr

$226,320 total

Florida International University

public

$6,556/yr

$26,224 total

Barry University

private

$33,200/yr

$132,800 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Miami Dade College

$3,588/yr

Top Employers for Food Science in Miami

Miami offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Food Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PepsiCoNestléGeneral MillsKraft HeinzFDA

Key Miami Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Food Science Job Titles

Food ScientistQuality Assurance ManagerProduct Developer

Food Science Degree in Miami — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Food Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Miami.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators