Nutrition & Dietetics Degree in Chesapeake, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Nutrition & Dietetics degree analysis for Chesapeake, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Chesapeake
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Nutrition & Dietetics in Chesapeake, VA Overview
Chesapeake, Virginia (pop. 249,422) has 12 colleges offering Nutrition & Dietetics programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $850/month. Nutrition & Dietetics has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Clinical Nutrition and Meal Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chesapeake is approximately $45,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,558/yr
Private Tuition
$19,500/yr
Room & Board
$9,787/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,853/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
67%
Nutrition & Dietetics Salary in Chesapeake (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chesapeake's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nutrition & Dietetics salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Chesapeake adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Nutrition & Dietetics ROI Calculator for Chesapeake
Estimate your return on investment for a Nutrition & Dietetics degree using local Chesapeake tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,558 | Private avg: $19,500
Chesapeake avg aid: $9,853/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Chesapeake
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chesapeake
$233,120
Lifetime earnings premium ($318,500) minus total education cost ($85,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Nutrition & Dietetics in Chesapeake
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chesapeake for Nutrition & Dietetics
South University Virginia Beach
private
$19,500/yr
$78,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Chesapeake
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Nutrition & Dietetics in Chesapeake
Chesapeake offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nutrition & Dietetics graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chesapeake Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nutrition & Dietetics Job Titles
Nutrition & Dietetics in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Chesapeake
Pharmacy
$46K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$62K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$46K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$46K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Nutrition & Dietetics Degree in Chesapeake — 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 Nutrition & Dietetics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chesapeake.