Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's mechanical engineering technology program hits the practical marks that matter for Georgia families: graduates earn $64,339 in their first year while carrying just $25,500 in debt—meaning typical monthly loan payments around $280 against take-home pay approaching $4,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 translates to a loan burden that most graduates can manage without sacrificing other financial goals. As one of only two programs of its kind in Georgia, it sits squarely at the state median, and earnings climb to nearly $70,000 by year four, tracking the steady increases you'd expect in technical fields.

The program performs above the national median for both earnings and debt management, ranking in the 64th percentile on both metrics. This isn't engineering's highest-earning track—traditional mechanical engineering degrees typically start higher—but the technology path offers a more hands-on, application-focused route that still leads to solid middle-class earnings. With 69% of students gaining admission and over a third receiving Pell grants, Kennesaw serves a broad student population without compromising graduate outcomes.

For a Georgia student interested in manufacturing, product development, or technical sales roles, this represents a reliable investment with manageable risk. The earnings won't break records, but the combination of reasonable debt and consistent growth creates a stable foundation for career entry.