Food Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at Kansas State University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$62,479

95th percentile

Median Debt

$24,844

19% above national median

Analysis

Kansas State's Food Science and Technology program launches graduates into the workforce at $62,479—nearly $11,000 above the national median for this field and placing it in the 95th percentile nationally. The debt load of $24,844 is reasonable, resulting in a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well below concerning thresholds. This is Kansas's only four-year food science program, making it the default choice for in-state students, but the numbers suggest it's genuinely competitive rather than just a monopoly benefiting from lack of alternatives.

The catch is what happens after that first year: earnings essentially flatline at $62,746 four years out. This stagnation is unusual for a STEM-adjacent field and suggests graduates may be hitting early career ceilings in Kansas or the broader region. Whether this matters depends on your child's plans—if they're targeting immediate employment with major food manufacturers (several operate in Kansas), that strong starting salary delivers clear value. If they're hoping for rapid salary progression, they may need to pivot into management or relocate to food industry hubs.

For parents evaluating this program, the math works: graduates earn enough in year one to manage their debt comfortably, and they're outperforming most peers nationally. Just understand you're buying strong entry-level placement rather than a trajectory of rapid wage growth.

Where Kansas State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all food science and technology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Kansas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Kansas State University	$62,479	$62,746	+0%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	$52,240	$73,350	+40%
Cornell University	$64,062	$70,212	+10%
Washington State University	$47,970	$66,745	+39%
University of California-Davis	$52,084	$65,196	+25%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Food Science and Technology bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$62,479	$62,746	$24,844	0.40
Cornell UniversityIthaca	$66,014	$64,062	$70,212	$15,750	0.25
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$60,351	$59,332	$26,254	0.44
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$59,889	$61,283	$20,534	0.34
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst	$17,357	$59,547	$63,063	—	—
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing	$15,988	$59,342	$59,182	$25,000	0.42
National Median	—	$51,883	—	$20,945	0.40

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with food science and technology graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Batchmakers

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

$40,050/yrJobs growth:

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kansas State University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 43 graduates with reported earnings and 51 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.