Food Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Kentucky

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$51,883

Est. from national median (25 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$20,973

Est. from national median (22 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests food science graduates could manage their loans comfortably—similar programs nationally point to first-year earnings around $52,000 against roughly $21,000 in debt. That puts monthly loan payments at roughly 5-6% of gross income, well within sustainable territory. As the only school in Kentucky offering this specialized degree, University of Kentucky fills a unique niche for students committed to the field without requiring them to leave the state.

The challenge is that these figures come from peer programs nationwide, not UK's actual graduate outcomes. Food science programs can vary significantly based on industry connections and regional job markets. Kentucky's agricultural and bourbon industries offer obvious pathways, but we don't know how effectively UK's specific program connects students to those opportunities versus programs in states with larger food manufacturing sectors.

For families comfortable with moderate debt and confident their student wants to work in food technology or quality assurance, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. The risk lies in the uncertainty—without UK's actual graduate data, you're betting that this program performs similarly to its national peers rather than knowing how it actually delivers.

Where University of Kentucky Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of KentuckyLexington	$13,212	$51,883*	—	$20,973*	—
Cornell UniversityIthaca	$66,014	$64,062*	$70,212	$15,750*	0.25
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$62,479*	$62,746	$24,844*	0.40
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	—*	—
National Median	—	$51,883*	—	$20,945*	0.40

* Estimated from similar programs

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 University of Kentucky, approximately 22% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 25 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.