Persian, if you go for a nutrition degree, you will also take some food science courses as part of the major. They usually have an option to add that major on in addition to the nutrition degree at most Universities. This will vary uni to uni though.
The nutrition degree is a 4 year degree....but plan on 5-6 for most colleges, especially if you will be working at the same time.
I'd recommend looking at colleges that focus more towards sports nutrition to focus it more towards what you want to do. This isn't mandatory, but just so you know, most Nutrition majors are geared mostly for clinical dietetics, with the goal of obtaining a Registered Dietitian's license. If you are going to do anything clinical, in schools, prisons, dialysis centers, etc, etc.....obtaining a RD is mandatory. To get your RD, you must first complete a dietetic internship, which can vary anywhere between 6 months to 12-18 months. Usually it's 6-12 months though. Now some internships require that you now have completed a Masters Degree first, but many still only require a BS.
If you are going to write articles, be a personal trainer or consultant, own your own business, a RD is not needed. In fact, if you are familiar with Alan Aragon, he has a MS degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science, but opted not to go for a RD. He writes for a few magazines, works as a personal trainer to athletes/BB'rs/Actors and actresses, as well he has written his own book and also writes a monthly research review of various research articles. If you decide to go this route, you can also just get an online Nutrition cert as an option without having to go to college.
Try reading these:
http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2009/11/12/directions-toward-a-career-in-fitness-part-1/
http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2009/11/14/directions-toward-a-career-in-fitness-part-2/
http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2009/11/17/directions-toward-a-career-in-fitness-part-3/
http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/11/18/paper-credentials-vs-the-fitness-industry/
http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/10/30/a-recent-career-milesone/
If you are going to focus more on a clinical future, learn the physiology of the body, and concentrate more on your strong science courses and nutritional biochem classes. Learn how to be objective in your research. Learn research, and understand it's designs and strengths and weaknesses. This will also help if you ever decide to write articles in the field.
If for personal training or sports nutrition, add on a certificate or add on an exercise physiology/science degree as needed.....to your nutritioon degree or cert.
If you are wanting to open a business, that requires people's skills and being able to sell your products...hopefully from an honost stand-point. You can concentrate more on business and management courses for this.
If you are going to be working with food specifically, then food science and food chemistry are going to be ideal.
Pay depends on which field you want to specifically go into. This will also vary depending on youir geographical location and demographics. Some clinical dietitians make dick in pay, but some do very well.
Adding a masters degree at some jobs can result in a major pay increase, while some jobs not so much. You have to weigh this out once you get there.
Owning your own business can bring in big bucks, but your have to be a saleman, a good one.
I screwed around the first 3 years of college at a junior university before I transferred over to a 4yr university and obtained my Nutrition/Dietetic degree. I added on my food science degree after that and graduated with a double bachelor.
