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Food Science Degree in Tulsa, OK — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$42K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$66K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Tulsa

Cost of Living

84

index (100 = avg)

Food Science in Tulsa, OK Overview

Tulsa, Oklahoma (pop. 413,066) has 15 colleges offering Food Science programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,113/month. Food Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Food Safety and Food Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Tulsa is approximately $42,000, growing to $65,520 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

15

Public Tuition

$6,582/yr

Private Tuition

$38,753/yr

Room & Board

$10,330/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,592/yr

Unemployment

4.1%

Graduation Rate

64%

Food Science Salary in Tulsa (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Tulsa's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,000($-8,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$65,520($-12,480 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$79,800($-15,200 vs national)

Note: National average Food Science salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Tulsa adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.

Food Science ROI Calculator for Tulsa

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

Public avg: $6,582 | Private avg: $38,753

Tulsa avg aid: $7,592/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$67,648

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$12,600

vs HS diploma in Tulsa

ROI Payback Period

5.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Tulsa

$335,552

Lifetime earnings premium ($403,200) minus total education cost ($67,648)

Student Loan Payoff for Food Science in Tulsa

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$67,648
Monthly Payment$768
Total Interest$24,528
% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$67,648
Monthly Payment$1,324
Total Interest$11,769
Interest Savings$12,759

Colleges in Tulsa for Food Science

University of Tulsa

private

$44,726/yr

$178,904 total

Oral Roberts University

private

$32,780/yr

$131,120 total

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa

public

$6,582/yr

$26,328 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Tulsa Community College

$3,558/yr

Top Employers for Food Science in Tulsa

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

PepsiCoNestléGeneral MillsKraft HeinzFDA

Key Tulsa 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 Tulsa — 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 Tulsa.

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