Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other.: The DTI for this program is 62.6%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $38246) to the average debt ($23934) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 62.6%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($38246) against the typical student debt ($23934), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $38246, and the average student debt is $23934, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.63—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 5644 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other (CIP 51.3199) is a flexible, interdisciplinary nutrition-focused health sciences category designed for programs that do not fit neatly into traditional dietetics, nutrition science, or clinical nutrition classifications. This CIP code captures specialized, emerging, and hybrid nutrition programs that focus on how food, nutrients, and dietary systems are used to support health, manage disease, and improve outcomes across clinical and community settings.
Unlike narrowly defined dietitian pathways, 51.3199 often includes programs that blend nutrition with healthcare operations, public health, wellness, behavioral science, food systems, or specialized clinical applications. These degrees focus on nutrition as a functional tool—one that influences chronic disease, recovery, prevention, performance, and quality of life at both individual and population levels.
This field is especially relevant as healthcare increasingly recognizes nutrition as a core component of prevention, treatment, and long-term health management.
What Is a Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other Degree?
A degree classified under CIP 51.3199 represents non-traditional or interdisciplinary programs related to dietetics and clinical nutrition. Schools use this category when a program emphasizes specialized nutrition services or combines nutrition with other health disciplines in ways that fall outside standard dietetics classifications.
Depending on the institution, programs in this category may integrate:
- Clinical nutrition and therapeutic diets
- Nutrition assessment and counseling
- Chronic disease nutrition management
- Community and population nutrition
- Behavioral and lifestyle nutrition
- Wellness, prevention, and health promotion
- Food systems and nutrition policy
- Nutrition education and program delivery
- Applied nutrition research and evaluation
Rather than focusing exclusively on one credential or licensure path, these programs emphasize applied nutrition knowledge, adaptability, and real-world impact. Graduates learn how to use nutrition to support health across hospitals, clinics, community programs, wellness organizations, and industry settings.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other is a strong fit for students who:
- Are passionate about food, nutrition, and health
- Want to work in healthcare without becoming a physician or nurse
- Enjoy science but also value counseling and education
- Are interested in prevention and long-term health outcomes
- Want flexibility across clinical, community, and wellness roles
This degree often attracts students who want to help people improve health through sustainable lifestyle and nutrition changes rather than short-term interventions.
What Will You Learn?
Students in 51.3199 programs learn how nutrition influences the body across different life stages, conditions, and environments. Coursework emphasizes evidence-based nutrition, practical application, and individualized care.
You will study how nutrients affect metabolism, disease progression, recovery, and overall wellness—and how dietary strategies can be tailored to specific needs, cultures, and health goals.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most programs help students develop skills such as:
- Assessing nutritional status and dietary intake
- Developing individualized or population-based nutrition plans
- Applying nutrition strategies to manage chronic conditions
- Communicating nutrition information clearly and compassionately
- Supporting behavior change and healthy habits
- Interpreting nutrition research and guidelines
- Collaborating with healthcare and wellness professionals
- Designing and evaluating nutrition programs
These skills are essential in healthcare environments where nutrition plays a growing role in outcomes and prevention.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework may include subjects such as:
- Clinical nutrition and therapeutic diets
- Medical nutrition therapy principles
- Nutrition across the lifespan
- Nutrition for chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, obesity)
- Sports and performance nutrition
- Community and public health nutrition
- Behavioral nutrition and counseling techniques
- Food safety and food systems
- Nutrition policy and program planning
- Research methods and evidence-based practice
Because this CIP category is broad, many programs allow students to tailor coursework toward specific interests such as wellness coaching, community health, or specialized clinical populations.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other degree can lead to a variety of nutrition-focused roles across healthcare and wellness sectors.
Common career paths include:
- Clinical Nutrition Assistant or Nutrition Specialist
- Community Nutrition Coordinator
- Wellness or Health Promotion Specialist
- Dietetic Technician or Nutrition Support Staff
- Nutrition Educator
- Chronic Disease Program Coordinator
- Food and Nutrition Services Manager
- Public Health Nutrition Program Support
- Wellness Coach or Lifestyle Specialist
Some roles may require additional certification or supervised practice, especially for dietitian licensure, but this degree provides a strong foundation for entry-level positions and further education.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates commonly work in:
- Hospitals and outpatient clinics
- Long-term care and rehabilitation facilities
- Community health organizations
- Public health departments
- Schools and educational programs
- Corporate wellness programs
- Fitness and performance organizations
- Food service and nutrition management settings
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
Nutrition professionals are increasingly valued in settings that emphasize prevention, lifestyle medicine, and long-term health improvement.
Is This Degree Hard?
The academic difficulty of this degree depends on program focus. Students should expect coursework in biology, chemistry, and nutrition science, along with applied learning in counseling and program delivery.
The challenge lies in applying science to real people—understanding how culture, behavior, access, and motivation influence dietary choices. Success requires strong communication skills, empathy, and critical thinking.
Who Should Choose CIP 51.3199 Specifically?
This CIP code may be a strong match if you:
- Want a nutrition-focused healthcare career with flexibility
- Are interested in prevention and lifestyle-based health strategies
- Enjoy helping others make sustainable changes
- Want options across clinical, community, and wellness roles
- May pursue advanced study or dietitian credentials later
How to Prepare in High School
Students interested in dietetics and clinical nutrition should:
- Take biology and chemistry courses
- Build strong communication and writing skills
- Learn basic data and research interpretation
- Volunteer in healthcare, wellness, or community programs
- Explore cooking, food science, or nutrition-related activities
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other represents a versatile and impactful pathway for students who want to use nutrition as a science-based tool to improve health, manage disease, and support well-being across individuals and communities.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor