Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's robotics engineering program produces graduates earning $72,645 right out of college while keeping debt at $30,768—giving it one of the lowest debt loads nationally. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, graduates should be able to manage their loans reasonably well on a technical salary. However, the earnings figure trails the national median for this field by about $8,000, landing at just the 25th percentile compared to similar programs nationwide.

The catch here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. It's also worth noting that only 25 schools nationally offer this specialized bachelor's degree, and Kennesaw State is the only one in Georgia, making meaningful comparisons difficult. The program serves a significant number of Pell-eligible students (35% campus-wide), suggesting it provides access to engineering careers for students who might not otherwise pursue them.

For a family weighing this option, the low debt is genuinely appealing, and the starting salary puts graduates on solid footing even if it's not top-of-class. But with such limited data, it's tough to assess whether this program consistently delivers on the promise of a specialized engineering degree. The 69% admission rate means your student will likely get in, but you'll want to verify current graduate outcomes directly with the department before committing.