Est. Earnings (1yr)
$68,919
Est. from national median (31 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,236
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

Is a bachelor's in engineering-related fields worth $25,000 in debt when first-year earnings hover around $69,000? Based on comparable programs nationally, the answer leans positive. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly a third of their first year's salary to student loans—manageable compared to many bachelor's programs. With only two schools offering this credential in Minnesota and limited reported data statewide, Bemidji State operates in a relatively sparse competitive landscape for this particular field.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Because Bemidji State's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes, we're relying on national medians from peer programs to estimate both earnings and debt. That means we don't know if this specific program performs better or worse than typical engineering-related degrees elsewhere. The figures suggest reasonable value, but they can't tell you whether Bemidji State's particular approach—its curriculum, industry connections, or faculty—delivers on that promise.

For parents weighing this program, the estimated numbers point to solid return on investment, but you'll need to dig deeper into what makes Bemidji State's engineering-related program distinct and whether its graduates actually land jobs that justify the credential. Ask the school directly about placement rates and starting salaries for recent graduates before committing.

Where Bemidji State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering-related fields bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering-Related Fields bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji$10,164$68,919*$25,236*
Stanford UniversityStanford$62,484$100,788*$141,630*
Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken$60,952$79,755*$94,324$26,975*0.34
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$76,563*$82,682$23,756*0.31
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale$76,149*$84,356$31,000*0.41
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe$12,051$76,149*$84,356$31,000*0.41
National Median$68,919*$25,368*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering-related fields graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Engineers

Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

$101,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

Design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.

$101,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Bemidji State University, approximately 26% 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 31 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.