Food Science and Technologyat The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Graduates earn $48,441/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Food Science and Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $656K; scenarios range from $598K to $667K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Tennessee
While UT-Knoxville is a nationally respected powerhouse in Food Science, your early-career earnings might reflect the regional economy of the Southeast. This isn't a sign of weakness; it's a reflection of the strong local job market. Tennessee and its neighboring states are hubs for major food processing and agricultural production, with giants like Tyson, Bush's Beans, and numerous beverage companies actively recruiting from the program. You'll find a direct pipeline into quality assurance, product development, and supply chain roles right in your backyard. Your degree carries weight far beyond the region, but many graduates choose to stay. To maximize your options, use the university's strong industry connections to land a nationally-focused internship. This experience will give you the leverage to either command a top salary locally or compete for higher-paying positions in more expensive coastal markets after graduation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Tennessee's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Food Science and Technology
How University of Tennessee stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Tennessee
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Tennessee, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Food Science and Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Food Science and Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Food Science and Technology at University of Tennessee
How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Food Science and Technology program score?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Food Science and Technology graduates.