Best institutions to study Zymology/Fermentation Science
A program that focuses on the business, science, and technology of fermented food production.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 99 Zymology/Fermentation Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 01.1005, a specialization of Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10), and leads most directly to the Food Science Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4013).
About Zymology/Fermentation Science programs
A program that focuses on the business, science, and technology of fermented food production. Includes instruction in biology, biochemistry, brewing, entrepreneurship, fermentation, marketing, microbiology, quality control, and sanitation.
See also: 52.0910 - Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
Zymology/Fermentation Science is a specialized program within the Food Science and Technology field that concentrates on the business, science, and technology of fermented food production. This program is ideal for students interested in the processes behind creating fermented products, such as beverages and food items, and the scientific principles that govern these processes.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in various areas including biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and quality control. Coursework often covers fermentation techniques, entrepreneurship, and marketing, equipping graduates with the skills needed to thrive in the food production industry.
Credentials awarded
What Zymology/Fermentation Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year91 graduates / yr · 1 institution92%
- Bachelor's degree8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions8.1%
Graduates over time
Zymology/Fermentation Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 63 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2025 | 99 |
CIP 01.1005 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 4 institutions for Zymology/Fermentation Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 91 | 71% | — | $49,123 |
| 2 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 5 | 54% | — | — |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 46% | — | — |
| 4 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 42% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Food Science and Technology field (CIP 01.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Zymology/Fermentation Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Food Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 1 | 91 | University of Kentucky91 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 5 | Middle Tennessee State University5 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Eastern Michigan University2 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4013, Food Science Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Zymology/Fermentation Science can pursue careers as Food Science Technicians, with an average annual wage of $49,430. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.8% and approximately 3,200 annual openings.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 01.1005
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Food Science Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4013 | $52,130 | +4.8% About as fast as average | ~3,200 | Associate's degree |
Food Batchmakers SOC 51-3092 | $42,290 | +6.9% Faster than average | ~24,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders SOC 51-9012 | $51,610 | -4.3% Decline | ~5,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Food Scientists and Technologists SOC 19-1012 | $88,720 | +6.5% Faster than average | ~1,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Zymology/Fermentation Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
Tools and technology used
Other Food Science and Technology specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10).
- Food ScienceCIP 01.10011,565 graduates / yr65 institutions
- Viticulture and EnologyCIP 01.1004239 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Food Science and TechnologyCIP 01.1099126 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Brewing ScienceCIP 01.1003113 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Food Technology and ProcessingCIP 01.100298 graduates / yr20 institutions
Common questions
What is Zymology/Fermentation Science?+
It is a program focused on the science and technology of fermented food production.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn about microbiology, quality control, fermentation techniques, and business principles.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Food Science Technician or in related roles within the food industry.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.8% and 3,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Zymology/Fermentation Science?+
Zymology/Fermentation Science is CIP 01.1005 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Food Science and Technology (CIP 01.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the business, science, and technology of fermented food production. Includes instruction in biology, biochemistry, brewing, entrepreneurship, fermentation, marketing, microbiology, quality control, and sanitation.
How many institutions offer Zymology/Fermentation Science programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Zymology/Fermentation Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 99 credentials in the year. That is 4.4% of all Food Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Zymology/Fermentation Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Science Technicians occupation, which Zymology/Fermentation Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $52,130 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Food Science and Technology field report median earnings of $49,123 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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