Kentucky·Educational Instruction and Library Occupations·SOC 25-1042

Best Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary programs in Kentucky, ranked by enrollment

Teach courses in biological sciences.

26 schools in Kentucky run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,446 people a year. The job pays a median of $70,630 in Kentucky across about 470 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledProfessorBiology ProfessorBiology InstructorAssociate ProfessorLecturerInstructorBotany TeacherFaculty Member
Graduates / yr
1,446
in Kentucky
Median pay · Kentucky
$70,630
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
470
people employed
Schools
26
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
50%
across those schools
Median net price
$18,902
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Kentucky that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.01
Biology
1,019graduates / yr
25 schools · 2 specializations · 70.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.15
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
149graduates / yr
6 schools · 1 specialization · 10.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,687
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.09
Physiology
79graduates / yr
2 schools · 2 specializations · 5.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,146
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
64graduates / yr
7 schools · 2 specializations · 4.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.12
Biotechnology
44graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $49,023
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.19
Nutrition Sciences
38graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 2.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $30,508
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.07
Zoology/Animal Biology
13graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $28,266
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
11graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Education
CIP 13.13
Teacher Education and Professional Development
10graduates / yr
4 schools · 2 specializations · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $43,033
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.10
Pharmacology and Toxicology
9graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,202
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.05
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,383
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.08
Genetics
3graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,800
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.03
Botany/Plant Biology
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,009

19 programs in Kentucky that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Kentucky (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Kentucky page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 26.0101In Kentucky
888
61.4%
25$32,152$25,000
2
CIP 26.1501In Kentucky
149
10.3%
6$31,687$22,936
3
CIP 26.0102In Kentucky
131
9.1%
7$32,152$25,000
4
CIP 26.0908In Kentucky
50
3.5%
2$31,146$23,384
5
CIP 26.1201In Kentucky
44
3.0%
1$49,023$21,309
6
CIP 26.0202In Kentucky
41
2.8%
7$38,243$23,014
7
CIP 30.1901In Kentucky
38
2.6%
1$30,508$24,586
8
CIP 26.0901In Kentucky
29
2.0%
2$31,146$23,384
9
CIP 26.0210In Kentucky
23
1.6%
2$38,243$23,014
10
CIP 26.0403In Kentucky
11
0.8%
2$35,393$19,961
11
CIP 26.1004In Kentucky
9
0.6%
1$39,202$18,000
12
CIP 13.1322In Kentucky
8
0.6%
4$43,033$26,044
13
CIP 26.0701In Kentucky
8
0.6%
1$28,266$24,393
14
CIP 26.0702In Kentucky
5
0.3%
1$28,266$24,393
15
CIP 26.0503In Kentucky
4
0.3%
1$38,383$22,065
16
CIP 26.0802In Kentucky
3
0.2%
1$31,800$21,424
17
CIP 13.1316In Kentucky
2
0.1%
1$43,033$26,044
18
CIP 26.0305In Kentucky
2
0.1%
1$33,009$21,975
19
CIP 26.0508In Kentucky
1
0.1%
1$38,383$22,065

Top 25 schools in Kentucky

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 13 of the 26 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY Public · 12 feeder programs
383Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,36071%93%
2University of Louisville
Louisville, KY Public · 9 feeder programs
246Biology/Biological Sciences, General$27,12361%79%
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY Public · 3 feeder programs
133Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,94556%94%
4Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY Public · 3 feeder programs
118Biology/Biological Sciences, General$38,97052%68%
5Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY Public · 2 feeder programs
66Biology/Biological Sciences, General$25,67250%78%
6Morehead State University
Morehead, KY Public · 3 feeder programs
63Biomedical Sciences, General$22,57252%77%
7Murray State University
Murray, KY Public · 2 feeder programs
63Biology/Biological Sciences, General$25,91461%86%
8Centre College
Danville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
48Biology/Biological Sciences, General81%$18,40754%
9Transylvania University
Lexington, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
36Biology/Biological Sciences, General71%$21,88187%
10Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
35Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,25364%$22,54286%
11University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
34Biology/Biological Sciences, General$27,78650%$11,67299%
12Berea College
Berea, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
33Biology/Biological Sciences, General$26,74458%$5,27419%
13Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
28Biology/Biological Sciences, General49%$12,66691%
14University of Pikeville
Pikeville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
26Biomedical Sciences, General$28,69942%$13,886
15Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
22Biology/Biological Sciences, General$23,42640%$18,90290%
16Alice Lloyd College
Pippa Passes, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
19Biology/Biological Sciences, General39%$18,38475%
17Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
15Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%96%
18Asbury University
Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
13Biology/Biological Sciences, General65%$19,81663%
19Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
13Biology/Biological Sciences, General42%$18,82480%
20Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
13Zoology/Animal Biology$17,08547%$36,52572%
21Midway University
Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
12Biology/Biological Sciences, General41%$23,65895%
22Lindsey Wilson University
Columbia, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
8Biology/Biological Sciences, General44%$14,471
23Brescia University
Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
7Biology/Biological Sciences, General54%$14,60435%
24Union Commonwealth University
Barbourville, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
6Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%$28,38663%
25Kentucky Christian University
Grayson, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
4Biology/Biological Sciences, General37%$21,71361%

All 26 schools in Kentucky

Every school in Kentucky with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in Kentucky that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
University of KentuckyLexingtonPublic38312
University of LouisvilleLouisvillePublic2469
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling GreenPublic1333
Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland HeightsPublic1183
Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmondPublic662
Morehead State UniversityMoreheadPublic633
Murray State UniversityMurrayPublic632
Centre CollegeDanvillePrivate not-for-profit482
Transylvania UniversityLexingtonPrivate not-for-profit362
Bellarmine UniversityLouisvillePrivate not-for-profit353
University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburgPrivate not-for-profit341
Berea CollegeBereaPrivate not-for-profit331
Georgetown CollegeGeorgetownPrivate not-for-profit283
University of PikevillePikevillePrivate not-for-profit263
Thomas More UniversityCrestview HillsPrivate not-for-profit222

What biological science teachers, postsecondary earn in Kentucky

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Kentucky
$70,630
Mean annual
$82,110
Jobs in state
470
What the range looks like
10th pct$46,330Median$70,63090th pct$132,940
Versus the national median
-16.5%

U.S. median $84,620. Kentucky pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
0.72×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in Kentucky

Lexington-Fayette, KY
$85,830median
150 jobs
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
$71,450median
70 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+7.3%
Faster than average
Openings per year
5,400
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
4,800
66,000 → 70,800
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary page.

How to become a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Top skills

SpeakingLearning StrategiesActive LearningActive ListeningReading ComprehensionScience

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Kentucky

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 13.1316Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
  • 13.1322Biology Teacher Education
  • 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • 26.0102Biomedical Sciences, General
  • 26.0202Biochemistry
  • 26.0203Biophysics
  • 26.0204Molecular Biology
  • 26.0205Molecular Biochemistry
  • 26.0206Molecular Biophysics
  • 26.0207Structural Biology
  • 26.0208Photobiology(no graduates reported)
  • 26.0209Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
  • 26.0210Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0299Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
  • 26.0301Botany/Plant Biology
  • 26.0305Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
  • 26.0307Plant Physiology
  • 26.0399Botany/Plant Biology, Other
  • 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
  • 26.0403Anatomy
  • 26.0404Developmental Biology and Embryology
  • 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0407Cell Biology and Anatomy
  • 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
  • 26.0502Microbiology, General

Common questions

Answers for people weighing biological science teachers, postsecondary programs in Kentucky.

What degree do you need to become a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary?+

Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 888 degrees in Kentucky in 2024-25, 61.4% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 19 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Physiology, Biochemistry, plus 9 more. Together they graduate about 1,446 people a year in Kentucky.

How much do biological science teachers, postsecondary earn in Kentucky?+

The median is $70,630 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 16.5% below the U.S. median of $84,620. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for biological science teachers, postsecondary growing?+

BLS projects a +7.3% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, faster than average, with roughly 5,400 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in Kentucky?+

26 institutions in Kentucky reported graduates from at least one of the 19 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do biological science teachers, postsecondary work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Biology Professor, Biology Instructor, Associate Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1042.

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary in other statesCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaPennsylvaniaMassachusettsNorth CarolinaOhio

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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