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 an engineering-related field worth roughly $25,000 in debt? Based on comparable programs nationwide, the math looks reasonable. Similar programs produce median first-year earnings around $69,000, which puts the estimated debt burden at about 37% of that first year's salary—a manageable ratio that suggests graduates could realistically tackle their loans while building careers.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only two schools in Georgia offering this credential and neither reporting actual outcomes, it's harder to gauge how Kennesaw State's specific program stacks up against local alternatives. Engineering-adjacent fields can vary widely—from construction management to surveying to industrial technology—and career trajectories differ significantly depending on the specialization. A $69,000 starting salary is solid if the program leads to in-demand technical roles, but less compelling if it's competing with full engineering degrees that often command higher pay.

The key question is what "engineering-related" actually means at Kennesaw State. Before committing, nail down the specific major, talk to recent graduates about their job placements, and compare starting salaries in that exact field. The estimated debt-to-earnings picture suggests this could be a sound investment, but you need more specificity about outcomes to know whether this particular program delivers on that promise.

Where Kennesaw 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
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw$5,786$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 Kennesaw State University, approximately 35% 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.