Kentucky·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-1029

Best Biological Scientist, All Other programs in Kentucky, ranked by enrollment

All biological scientists not listed.

25 schools in Kentucky run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,275 people a year. The job pays a median of $79,400 in Kentucky across about 260 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledBotanistBiologistScientistBioinformaticistMedical GeneticistResearch ScientistMolecular BiologistBioinformatics Scientist
Graduates / yr
1,275
in Kentucky
Median pay · Kentucky
$79,400
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
260
people employed
Schools
25
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
52%
across those schools
Median net price
$18,824
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
888graduates / yr
25 schools · 1 specialization · 69.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.15
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
149graduates / yr
6 schools · 1 specialization · 11.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,687
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.11
Biomathematics
55graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 4.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,338
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.12
Biotechnology
44graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $49,023
Psychology
CIP 42.27
Research and Experimental Psychology
41graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 3.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $34,454
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.19
Nutrition Sciences
38graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $30,508
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
23graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 1.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
11graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.10
Pharmacology and Toxicology
9graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.7% 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 26.07
Zoology/Animal Biology
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $28,266
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 · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,009
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.13
Ecology
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $29,460

15 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
69.6%
25$32,152$25,000
2
CIP 26.1501In Kentucky
149
11.7%
6$31,687$22,936
3
CIP 26.1102In Kentucky
55
4.3%
2$72,338$18,500
4
CIP 26.1201In Kentucky
44
3.5%
1$49,023$21,309
5
CIP 42.2706In Kentucky
41
3.2%
2$34,454$21,878
6
CIP 30.1901In Kentucky
38
3.0%
1$30,508$24,586
7
CIP 26.0210In Kentucky
23
1.8%
2$38,243$23,014
8
CIP 26.0403In Kentucky
11
0.9%
2$35,393$19,961
9
CIP 26.1004In Kentucky
9
0.7%
1$39,202$18,000
10
CIP 26.0702In Kentucky
5
0.4%
1$28,266$24,393
11
CIP 26.0503In Kentucky
4
0.3%
1$38,383$22,065
12
CIP 26.0802In Kentucky
3
0.2%
1$31,800$21,424
13
CIP 26.0305In Kentucky
2
0.2%
1$33,009$21,975
14
CIP 26.1311In Kentucky
2
0.2%
1$29,460$23,480
15
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 12 of the 25 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 · 11 feeder programs
370Biology/Biological Sciences, General$31,36071%93%
2University of Louisville
Louisville, KY Public · 5 feeder programs
234Biology/Biological Sciences, General$27,12361%79%
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY Public · 2 feeder programs
115Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,94556%94%
4Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY Public · 2 feeder programs
85Biology/Biological Sciences, General$38,97052%68%
5Centre College
Danville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
75Biology/Biological Sciences, General81%$18,40754%
6Murray State University
Murray, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
46Biology/Biological Sciences, General$25,91461%86%
7Transylvania University
Lexington, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
36Biology/Biological Sciences, General71%$21,88187%
8Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
35Biology/Biological Sciences, General$29,25364%$22,54286%
9Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
34Biology/Biological Sciences, General$25,67250%78%
10University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
34Biology/Biological Sciences, General$27,78650%$11,67299%
11Berea College
Berea, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
33Biology/Biological Sciences, General$26,74458%$5,27419%
12Morehead State University
Morehead, KY Public · 2 feeder programs
25Biology/Biological Sciences, General$22,57252%77%
13Lindsey Wilson University
Columbia, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
21Behavioral Neuroscience44%$14,471
14Alice Lloyd College
Pippa Passes, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
19Biology/Biological Sciences, General39%$18,38475%
15Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
19Biology/Biological Sciences, General$23,42640%$18,90290%
16Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
15Biology/Biological Sciences, General49%$12,66691%
17Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY Public · 1 feeder programs
15Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%96%
18Midway University
Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
12Biology/Biological Sciences, General41%$23,65895%
19Asbury University
Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
11Biology/Biological Sciences, General65%$19,81663%
20Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
10Biology/Biological Sciences, General42%$18,82480%
21University of Pikeville
Pikeville, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
10Biology/Biological Sciences, General$28,69942%$13,886
22Brescia University
Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
6Biology/Biological Sciences, General54%$14,60435%
23Union Commonwealth University
Barbourville, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
6Biology/Biological Sciences, General32%$28,38663%
24Kentucky Wesleyan College
Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
5Biology/Biological Sciences, General47%$36,52572%
25Kentucky Christian University
Grayson, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
4Biology/Biological Sciences, General37%$21,71361%

All 25 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 KentuckyLexingtonPublic37011
University of LouisvilleLouisvillePublic2345
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling GreenPublic1152
Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland HeightsPublic852
Centre CollegeDanvillePrivate not-for-profit753
Murray State UniversityMurrayPublic461
Transylvania UniversityLexingtonPrivate not-for-profit362
Bellarmine UniversityLouisvillePrivate not-for-profit353
Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmondPublic341
University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburgPrivate not-for-profit341
Berea CollegeBereaPrivate not-for-profit331
Morehead State UniversityMoreheadPublic252
Lindsey Wilson UniversityColumbiaPrivate not-for-profit212
Alice Lloyd CollegePippa PassesPrivate not-for-profit191
Thomas More UniversityCrestview HillsPrivate not-for-profit191

What biological scientists, all other earn in Kentucky

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

Median annual in Kentucky
$79,400
Mean annual
$79,930
Jobs in state
260
What the range looks like
10th pct$52,020Median$79,40090th pct$109,300
Versus the national median
-19.7%

U.S. median $98,920. Kentucky pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
0.36×

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

Metro areas in Kentucky

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
$88,610median
50 jobs
Lexington-Fayette, KY
$68,970median
40 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+1.2%
Little or no change
Openings per year
4,800
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
800
63,700 → 64,500
Typical entry education
Bachelor's 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 Scientists, All Other page.

How to become a Biological Scientist, All Other

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Bachelor's 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

ScienceReading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeaking

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 Scientists, All Other24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • 26.0204Molecular Biology
  • 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
  • 26.0308Plant Molecular Biology
  • 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
  • 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
  • 26.0504Virology
  • 26.0505Parasitology
  • 26.0506Mycology
  • 26.0507Immunology
  • 26.0508Microbiology and Immunology
  • 26.0509Infectious Disease and Global Health

Common questions

Answers for people weighing biological scientists, all other programs in Kentucky.

What degree do you need to become a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

Bachelor's 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, 69.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Biological Scientist, All Other?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 15 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Biomathematics, Biotechnology, plus 10 more. Together they graduate about 1,275 people a year in Kentucky.

How much do biological scientists, all other earn in Kentucky?+

The median is $79,400 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 19.7% below the U.S. median of $98,920. 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 scientists, all other growing?+

BLS projects a +1.2% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 4,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

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

25 institutions in Kentucky reported graduates from at least one of the 15 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 scientists, all other work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Botanist, Biologist, Scientist, Bioinformaticist, Medical Geneticist, Research Scientist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-1029.

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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