Best Natural Sciences Manager programs in Kentucky, ranked by enrollment
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these.
26 schools in Kentucky run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,071 people a year. The job pays a median of $126,440 in Kentucky across about 400 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
39 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.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.0101In Kentucky → | 888 | 42.9% | 25 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 2 | CIP 40.0501In Kentucky → | 204 | 9.9% | 18 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 3 | CIP 27.0101In Kentucky → | 159 | 7.7% | 22 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 4 | CIP 26.1501In Kentucky → | 149 | 7.2% | 6 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 5 | CIP 27.0305In Kentucky → | 57 | 2.8% | 2 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 6 | CIP 40.0601In Kentucky → | 56 | 2.7% | 6 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 7 | CIP 26.1102In Kentucky → | 55 | 2.7% | 2 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 8 | CIP 40.0801In Kentucky → | 53 | 2.6% | 11 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 9 | Biotechnologymain feeder CIP 26.1201In Kentucky → | 44 | 2.1% | 1 | $49,023 | $21,309 |
| 10 | CIP 40.0510In Kentucky → | 44 | 2.1% | 2 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 11 | CIP 30.7001In Kentucky → | 42 | 2.0% | 4 | — | — |
| 12 | CIP 26.0202In Kentucky → | 41 | 2.0% | 7 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 13 | CIP 30.1901In Kentucky → | 38 | 1.8% | 1 | $30,508 | $24,586 |
| 14 | CIP 14.1201In Kentucky → | 34 | 1.6% | 3 | $57,457 | $24,706 |
| 15 | CIP 40.1101In Kentucky → | 29 | 1.4% | 1 | — | — |
| 16 | CIP 26.0210In Kentucky → | 23 | 1.1% | 2 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 17 | CIP 27.0501In Kentucky → | 23 | 1.1% | 2 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 18 | Biological and Physical Sciencesmain feeder CIP 30.0101In Kentucky → | 18 | 0.9% | 2 | $28,446 | $11,000 |
| 19 | CIP 40.0699In Kentucky → | 16 | 0.8% | 1 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 20 | CIP 26.0403In Kentucky → | 11 | 0.5% | 2 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 21 | CIP 30.3301In Kentucky → | 11 | 0.5% | 1 | $37,223 | $20,968 |
| 22 | CIP 30.3801In Kentucky → | 11 | 0.5% | 1 | — | — |
| 23 | CIP 26.1004In Kentucky → | 9 | 0.4% | 1 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 24 | CIP 26.0701In Kentucky → | 8 | 0.4% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 25 | CIP 27.0601In Kentucky → | 7 | 0.3% | 1 | — | — |
| 26 | CIP 40.0404In Kentucky → | 7 | 0.3% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 27 | CIP 26.0702In Kentucky → | 5 | 0.2% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 28 | CIP 26.0503In Kentucky → | 4 | 0.2% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 29 | CIP 27.0301In Kentucky → | 4 | 0.2% | 2 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 30 | CIP 27.9999In Kentucky → | 4 | 0.2% | 1 | $59,063 | $21,500 |
| 31 | Physical Sciences, Generalmain feeder CIP 40.0101In Kentucky → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $27,007 | $9,000 |
| 32 | CIP 26.0802In Kentucky → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $31,800 | $21,424 |
| 33 | CIP 27.0503In Kentucky → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 34 | CIP 26.0305In Kentucky → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $33,009 | $21,975 |
| 35 | CIP 26.1311In Kentucky → | 2 | 0.1% | 1 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 36 | Natural Sciencesmain feeder CIP 30.1801In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $29,587 | $21,610 |
| 37 | CIP 26.0508In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 38 | CIP 27.0399In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 39 | CIP 40.0599In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
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.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · 21 feeder programs | 614 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $31,360 | 71% | — | 93% |
| 2 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY Public · 11 feeder programs | 314 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $27,123 | 61% | — | 79% |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · 12 feeder programs | 229 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $29,945 | 56% | — | 94% |
| 4 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · 7 feeder programs | 129 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $38,970 | 52% | — | 68% |
| 5 | Murray State University Murray, KY Public · 6 feeder programs | 128 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $25,914 | 61% | — | 86% |
| 6 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · 9 feeder programs | 107 | Forensic Chemistry | $34,512 | 50% | — | 78% |
| 7 | Centre College Danville, KY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 81 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 81% | $18,407 | 54% |
| 8 | Bellarmine University Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 57 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $29,253 | 64% | $22,542 | 86% |
| 9 | Transylvania University Lexington, KY Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 49 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 71% | $21,881 | 87% |
| 10 | Berea College Berea, KY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 47 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $26,744 | 58% | $5,274 | 19% |
| 11 | Morehead State University Morehead, KY Public · 6 feeder programs | 47 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $22,572 | 52% | — | 77% |
| 12 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 40 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $27,786 | 50% | $11,672 | 99% |
| 13 | Lindsey Wilson University Columbia, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 35 | Data Science, General | — | 44% | $14,471 | — |
| 14 | Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 26 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $23,426 | 40% | $18,902 | 90% |
| 15 | Georgetown College Georgetown, KY Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 24 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 49% | $12,666 | 91% |
| 16 | Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 19 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 39% | $18,384 | 75% |
| 17 | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 19 | Zoology/Animal Biology | $17,085 | 47% | $36,525 | 72% |
| 18 | Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Public · 3 feeder programs | 18 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 32% | — | 96% |
| 19 | Asbury University Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 17 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 65% | $19,816 | 63% |
| 20 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 15 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 42% | $18,824 | 80% |
| 21 | Midway University Midway, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 13 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 41% | $23,658 | 95% |
| 22 | Spalding University Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 12 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 52% | $23,661 | 99% |
| 23 | University of Pikeville Pikeville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 11 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $28,699 | 42% | $13,886 | — |
| 24 | Brescia University Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 8 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 54% | $14,604 | 35% |
| 25 | Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 8 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 32% | $28,386 | 63% |
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.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | Public | 614 | 21 |
| University of Louisville | Louisville | Public | 314 | 11 |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Public | 229 | 12 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Public | 129 | 7 |
| Murray State University | Murray | Public | 128 | 6 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Public | 107 | 9 |
| Centre College | Danville | Private not-for-profit | 81 | 6 |
| Bellarmine University | Louisville | Private not-for-profit | 57 | 6 |
| Transylvania University | Lexington | Private not-for-profit | 49 | 5 |
| Berea College | Berea | Private not-for-profit | 47 | 6 |
| Morehead State University | Morehead | Public | 47 | 6 |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg | Private not-for-profit | 40 | 4 |
| Lindsey Wilson University | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 35 | 3 |
| Thomas More University | Crestview Hills | Private not-for-profit | 26 | 4 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown | Private not-for-profit | 24 | 5 |
What natural sciences managers earn in Kentucky
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $167,220. Kentucky pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Kentucky
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
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 Natural Sciences Managers page.
How to become a Natural Sciences Manager
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience needed
- 5 years or more
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
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 Natural Sciences Managers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 14.1201Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- 14.3701Operations Research
- 26.0101Biology/Biological 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
- 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
- 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
- 26.0502Microbiology, General
- 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
- 26.0504Virology
- 26.0505Parasitology
Common questions
Answers for people weighing natural sciences managers programs in Kentucky.
What degree do you need to become a Natural Sciences Manager?+
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, 42.9% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Natural Sciences Manager?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 39 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Neurobiology and Neurosciences, plus 26 more. Together they graduate about 2,071 people a year in Kentucky.
How much do natural sciences managers earn in Kentucky?+
The median is $126,440 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 24.4% below the U.S. median of $167,220. 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 natural sciences managers growing?+
BLS projects a +3.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 8,500 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 39 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 natural sciences managers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Research Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, Water Resources Planner, Clinical Program Manager, Natural Sciences Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 11-9121.
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 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected 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 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, 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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