Engineering Technology at Kansas State University
Bachelor's Degree
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Kansas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Kansas State University graduates earn $62k, placing them in the 57th percentile of all engineering technology bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Engineering Technology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (3 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State University | $61,696 | $67,664 | $22,250 | 0.36 |
| Wichita State University | $52,066 | — | $23,875 | 0.46 |
| National Median | $60,529 | — | $26,325 | 0.43 |
Other Engineering Technology Programs in Kansas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Kansas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State University Wichita | $9,322 | $52,066 | $23,875 |
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.