Food Science and Technology (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at University of Kentucky

Median Earnings (1yr)

$49,123

95th percentile

Median Debt

$21,250

At national median

Analysis

University of Kentucky's Food Science and Technology certificate shows impressive numbers on paper—$49,123 first-year earnings with just $21,250 in debt—but the extremely small graduate cohort (under 30 students) makes it hard to know if these results are replicable. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 is excellent, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, and they're carrying far less debt than typical certificate holders in this field nationally. However, with only three Kentucky schools offering this program and minimal data available, these figures could represent a handful of students who landed particularly good jobs rather than typical outcomes.

The 95th percentile national earnings ranking looks stellar, but it's essentially meaningless given the limited comparison pool and the fact that these earnings match both the national and state medians exactly. What matters more practically: UK's 92% admission rate makes this an accessible option, and food science skills translate to jobs in Kentucky's bourbon, agriculture, and food manufacturing sectors. If your child already has a bachelor's degree or is pursuing one at UK, adding this certificate could open doors in quality control, production management, or food safety—roles that clearly pay from day one.

The risk here is banking on outcomes from a tiny sample. If UK can show you specific employer connections or job placement records for certificate holders, that would matter far more than these aggregated statistics.

Where University of Kentucky Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Kentucky graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

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

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of KentuckyLexington	$13,212	$49,123	—	$21,250	0.43
National Median	—	$49,123	—	$21,250	0.43

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.