Kentucky · Food Science and Technology

Best colleges for Food Science and Technology in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University and Western Kentucky University award the most Food Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Kentucky: 95, 1 and 1 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Kentucky colleges offer Food Science and Technology and award 97 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Food Science and Technology program focuses on the study of food and its chemical properties, blending elements of agricultural science and nutritional science. This program is ideal for students interested in the scientific aspects of…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 01.10
States offered
44
with a program page
Degrees / yr
97
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$49,123
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Food Scientists and Technologists
$96,080
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public · Certificate
$49,1239571%—$21,250

Colleges awarding the most Food Science and Technology degrees in Kentucky

Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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
95$49,123
2Kentucky State University
Frankfort Public
1Not reported
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Food Scientists and Technologists (SOC 19-1012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+6.5%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$85,310
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active LearningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingScienceActive Listening

What Food Scientists and Technologists earn in Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
170
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$96,080
median $98,710
Best-paying metro
$84,260
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

Related careers

Food Batchmakers
$46,740 avg · 4,570 jobs
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$56,210 avg · 1,500 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$64,550 avg · 320 jobs
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$98,180 avg · 200 jobs
Food Scientists and Technologists
$96,080 avg · 170 jobs
Food Science Technicians
$66,530 avg · 160 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Food Science and Technology programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Food Science and Technology degrees?+

University of Kentucky (95 graduates a year), Kentucky State University (1 graduate a year) and Western Kentucky University (1 graduate a year) award the most Food Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Kentucky colleges offer Food Science and Technology.

Which Food Science and Technology program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kentucky tops the list at $49,123. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Food Scientists and Technologists earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Kentucky is $96,080 (median $98,710), across about 170 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Food Science and Technology program?+

The Food Science and Technology program focuses on the study of food and its chemical properties, blending elements of agricultural science and nutritional science. This program is ideal for students interested in the scientific aspects of…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active learning, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Food Scientists and Technologists?+

The national job outlook is about +6.5% growth with around 1,200 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).

Food Science and Technology in other statesNew YorkKansasIowaOhioPennsylvaniaMassachusettsMichiganVirginia

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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