Computer Engineering at Kansas State University

Kansas State's Computer Engineering program graduates start at nearly $78,000—placing them above the Kansas median for this degree and ahead of Wichita State's graduates by $11,000. The debt load of roughly $26,000 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, which means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross earnings. For Kansas families, this represents solid in-state value.

The national picture is more middling—K-State lands at the 46th percentile compared to computer engineering programs nationwide, where the median starting salary is slightly higher at $79,000. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could swing considerably with just a few data points. The program's outcomes might look better or worse in reality than what this snapshot suggests.

For an anxious parent weighing options, K-State offers a reasonable computer engineering education at Kansas State tuition rates with debt levels that won't become crushing. The starting salary provides a comfortable foundation for loan repayment and early-career stability. Just recognize that you're looking at limited data—talk to the department about typical employer connections and placement rates to fill in the picture beyond what these numbers reveal.