Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's Engineering Technology program posts strong earnings that beat the national median by $4,200 and land in the 75th percentile nationally—meaningful outperformance for a program at a school with a 69% admission rate. The first-year salary of $64,728 climbs to nearly $79,000 by year four, a 22% gain that suggests graduates are moving into roles with real advancement potential. With only two schools in Georgia offering this program, Kennesaw effectively ties for the state median, making it the default choice for in-state students seeking this specific credential.

The debt picture amplifies the value here: $31,000 is higher than the national median but translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.48—meaning graduates owe less than half their first year's salary. That's manageable repayment territory, especially given the steady income growth. Students at this accessible state university are getting outcomes that rival more selective engineering technology programs elsewhere.

The main limitation is Georgia's sparse options in this field, making direct state comparisons difficult. But the national benchmarking tells a clear story: Kennesaw graduates are earning more than three-quarters of their peers nationwide while taking on reasonable debt. For Georgia families wanting a practical engineering path without the theoretical intensity of traditional engineering degrees, this program delivers solid returns with predictable career trajectories in manufacturing, construction management, and technical operations roles.