What makes any education “worth it?”
The question comes down to three primary factors. An education that’s worth its investment is one that may:
- Pay for itself over time with increased earning potential
- Create new career opportunities for students in their field of interest
- Provide opportunities and connections that can help get students closer to their professional goals
If we apply this framework to a degree in holistic nutrition and wellness, the verdict is clear: it’s worth it!
When you invest in a degree in holistic nutrition, you may get a positive return in the form of an exciting, well-paid career that allows you to help people become their healthiest selves.
A Degree in Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Is an Attainable Investment
The cost of your education is a key factor when determining its value to your long-term career. After all, if you spent $100,000 on education, but only got a minor boost in income, was the education worth what you spent on it?
At Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, we aim to keep our programs affordable** for students across all campuses, so they are both more accessible and so the investment can be worth the cost.
How Much Does a Degree or Diploma in Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Cost?*
- Diploma in Holistic Nutrition & Wellness (online) – $20,498
- Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Holistic Nutrition & Wellness (online) – $31,255
*As of May 2022
Funding Your Education
While a degree or diploma from Escoffier can be more affordable** than, say, a degree at a private four-year university, not everyone has a fund set aside for higher education.
Fortunately, there are several alternative ways that students can pay for their programs. As a nationally accredited school, Escoffier’s programs are eligible for funding through federal student loans (for students who apply and qualify). Student loans can help bring education within reach for those who don’t have the finances available up-front to pay for their programs.
Scholarships and grants are additional options, with private companies and individual schools offering awards to students who demonstrate aptitude and/or financial need. You can search for scholarships based on your location, specialty, demographics, and much more. Even just a $1,000 award goes a long way, especially if your education costs are just over $20,000 total. Every dollar in earned scholarships is a dollar you don’t have to repay.
Escoffier can offer financial awards to participants in certain culinary competitions, as well as additional scholarships and grants for students who demonstrate financial need or meet certain criteria. When students enroll at Escoffier, they can expect to receive an email with their scholarship applications and details.
Active duty military, veterans, and their families also have options when it comes to funding their education. Through the GI Bill®, Department of Defense, Yellow Ribbon Program, and more, funding may be available to those who qualify and apply. This aid can help reduce or even eliminate the student’s out-of-pocket costs. Those interested in knowing more about these benefits may contact the Department of Veteran’s Affairs or their local Education Office for Active Duty Military.
A Holistic Nutrition Degree Could Lead to Better Job Prospects
Much of the value of formal education comes after graduation day. The purpose of school is to prepare students for a better future…so how can that education get graduates closer to a profitable career?
With a degree in holistic nutrition and wellness, you may be eligible to work in a wide variety of health-focused careers. As a Health Coach, you could make recommendations regarding healthy eating, managing anxiety and stress, improving sleep, and getting fit. As a Holistic Nutritionist, you could help people make smarter food choices, including a focus on where that food comes from and how it was raised or grown.
If you love to cook, you could become a health-focused personal chef, making nutrient-packed meals for clients to support their general well-being or to combat specific health issues like a gluten sensitivity or inflammation.
A healthy, well-balanced dish by Escoffier student Anne H.
Writers or bloggers in the wellness space could also benefit from a holistic nutrition degree, bringing expertise to the field and possibly commanding higher prices for their articles!
Some corporations even bring on corporate wellness professionals to help their employees to stay healthy and fit. A healthy workforce is a productive workforce!
Any of these careers could be supported by a degree in holistic nutrition and wellness. With an education that covers topics like human nutrition and nutrition sources, specialty diets, stress management, mindfulness, and additional wellness concepts, Escoffier graduates could be ready for entry-level positions in these fields.
For Solo Practitioners, A Degree in Holistic Nutrition Can Give You The Authority Clients Want
If you choose to start your own holistic nutrition or coaching practice, you’ll need to attract clients. And one of the best ways to do that is to bring the credentials that clients expect. When you can point to a degree or diploma, you make the case for your own expertise. And you may be able to attract more clients than you could otherwise.
When it comes to their health, clients generally expect their coaches and wellness practitioners to have the education to back up their advice. They may even ask for proof of your education.
In addition to the higher quantity of clients, you may be able to charge higher rates if you have an education. Expertise is valuable, and people are willing to pay a premium for it. Plus, with Escoffier’s coursework in entrepreneurship, graduates may find that they’re able to run a more profitable business, which could increase their earning potential throughout their careers.
A Holistic Nutrition Education Can Help You Build a Valuable Network
Ever hear the phrase, “It’s not what you know, but who you know?”
That’s not entirely true. A more accurate expression would be, “It’s both what you know and who you know.”
A professional network in the holistic health field can be a wonderful source of job opportunities, career advice, and mentorship. In a nutrition and wellness program, students get the chance to meet a wide variety of like-minded people—both students and instructors—who may be future sources of job opportunities, career advice, and support.
Holistic nutrition and wellness students at Escoffier also get the opportunity for additional networking with their industry externships. These temporary job positions can give students a chance to work in a real clinic, corporate environment, or even a health-focused kitchen if that’s their preference. Students can apply what they’ve learned in the workplace and build relationships with people who have experience in the industry.
The Market Is There…But It Needs You
The Global Wellness Institute expects the worldwide wellness economy to grow to nearly $7 trillion by 2025. This includes the Healthy Eating, Nutrition & Weight Loss sector (currently valued at $946 billion), Mental Wellness sector (currently valued at $275 billion), and Workplace Wellness sector (currently valued at $49 billion), among others.
Is a holistic nutrition degree worth it? A $7 trillion market seems to prove that it is.
The clients are there. But what this market needs more of is YOU.
Bring your enthusiasm for health and wellness to the field, backed up by a degree in holistic nutrition and wellness. Contact us today to embark on a fulfilling path of nutrition care and well-being.
Learn more about the field of holistic nutrition and wellness:
*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.
**Consider your situation and resources to determine what is affordable and on budget, for you.
