Location: Manhattan, KS•In-State Tuition: $10,942•Out-of-State Tuition: $27,816•Admission Rate: 79%•Avg SAT: 1149
Median Earnings (1yr)
$61,696
57th percentile
Median Debt
$22,250
15% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.36 ManageableSample: 22 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Kansas State's Engineering Technology graduates start at $61,696—beating both the national median ($60,529) and outpacing the state median ($56,881) by nearly $5,000. With only three schools offering this degree in Kansas, K-State lands in the 60th percentile statewide and comes in well above Wichita State's outcomes. The program shows healthy momentum too, with earnings climbing 10% to $67,664 by year four.

The debt picture requires attention though. At $22,250, graduates carry less than the national median but still rank in the 89th percentile for debt burden—meaning most similar programs nationwide send students out with less to repay. The 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, putting first-year salary at nearly three times the loan balance, but families should weigh whether K-State's location and network justify the slightly higher borrowing compared to alternatives.

The caveat: these numbers come from a small graduating class (under 30 students), which means a few outlier salaries could skew the picture in either direction. If your child thrives in hands-on technical programs and wants to stay in Kansas, K-State delivers competitive earnings with reasonable debt. Just know that the limited sample size means these outcomes might shift as more data rolls in.

Where Kansas State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technology bachelors's programs nationally

Kansas State UniversityOther engineering technology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Kansas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Kansas State University earns $62k — 57th percentile among engineering technology bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Kansas State University$61,696$67,664+10%
Drexel University$66,431$87,840+32%
Miami University-Oxford$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Hamilton$69,483$81,683+18%
Miami University-Middletown$69,483$81,683+18%

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Kansas State UniversityManhattan$10,942$61,696$67,664$22,2500.36
Wichita State UniversityWichita$9,322$52,066—$23,8750.46
National Median—$60,529—$26,3250.43

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering technology graduates

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.

$79,830/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Robotics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

$70,760/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

$64,200/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

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 Kansas State University, approximately 19% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.