Kentucky · Biology

Best colleges for Biology in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University are the top bachelor's Biology programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. Northern Kentucky University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,970, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University award the most Biology degrees in Kentucky: 190, 155 and 112 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Kentucky colleges offer Biology and award 1,019 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…

Institutions
26
offering CIP 26.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,019
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,786
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
12
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,902
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Biological Technicians
$52,530
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,9707652%—$23,950
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,36019071%—$23,250
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,94511256%—$22,500
4University of Pikeville
Pikeville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$28,6992542%$13,886$21,128
5University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,7863450%$11,672$20,318
6University of Louisville
Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,12315561%—$20,681
7Berea College
Berea Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$26,7443358%$5,274—
8Murray State University
Murray Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,9144661%—$24,475
9Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,6726650%—$24,250
10Morehead State University
Morehead Public · Bachelor's degree
$22,5726052%—$19,250

Colleges awarding the most Biology degrees in Kentucky

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
190$31,360
2University of Louisville
Louisville Public
155$27,123
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
112$29,945
4Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
76$38,970
5Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
66$25,672
6Morehead State University
Morehead Public
60$22,572
7Murray State University
Murray Public
46$25,914
8University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg Private not-for-profit
34$27,786
9Berea College
Berea Private not-for-profit
33$26,744
10Centre College
Danville Private not-for-profit
33Not reported
Show the other 16 Kentucky colleges offering Biology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Transylvania UniversityLexingtonPrivate not-for-profit30
University of PikevillePikevillePrivate not-for-profit25
Georgetown CollegeGeorgetownPrivate not-for-profit24
Alice Lloyd CollegePippa PassesPrivate not-for-profit19
Bellarmine UniversityLouisvillePrivate not-for-profit19
Thomas More UniversityCrestview HillsPrivate not-for-profit19
Kentucky State UniversityFrankfortPublic15
Midway UniversityMidwayPrivate not-for-profit12
Asbury UniversityWilmorePrivate not-for-profit11
Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsvillePrivate not-for-profit10
Lindsey Wilson UniversityColumbiaPrivate not-for-profit7
Brescia UniversityOwensboroPrivate not-for-profit6
Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourvillePrivate not-for-profit6
Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboroPrivate not-for-profit5
Kentucky Christian UniversityGraysonPrivate not-for-profit4
Simmons College of KentuckyLouisvillePrivate not-for-profit2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.5%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~9,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$52,000
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingScienceActive ListeningActive LearningWriting

What Biological Technicians earn in Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
260
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$52,530
median $48,910
Best-paying metro
$57,890
Lexington-Fayette, KY

Related careers

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$82,110 avg · 470 jobs
Biological Technicians
$52,530 avg · 260 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$79,930 avg · 260 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Biology programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Biology degrees?+

University of Kentucky (190 graduates a year), University of Louisville (155 graduates a year) and Western Kentucky University (112 graduates a year) award the most Biology degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Kentucky colleges offer Biology.

What is the best college for Biology in Kentucky?+

By graduate earnings, Northern Kentucky University leads among bachelor's Biology programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,970, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Kentucky is the largest, with 190 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Biology program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northern Kentucky University tops the list at $38,970. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Biological Technicians earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in Kentucky is $52,530 (median $48,910), across about 260 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Biology program?+

The Biology program, also known as Biology, General, is designed for students interested in the scientific study of life and living organisms. This broad natural science encompasses various fields, focusing on the structure, function,…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Biological Technicians?+

The national job outlook is about +3.5% growth with around 9,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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