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Agriculture · Agricultural Mechanization Rank #9 of 10

Agricultural Mechanizationat Kansas State University

Graduates earn $63,239/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Agricultural Mechanization average. Base-case 10-year earnings $591K; scenarios range from $548K to $592K depending on AI disruption.

Manhattan, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$63,239
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$591K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
25% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Kansas State University

Kansas State's strong reputation is built on its deep roots in the agricultural heartland. As a land-grant university, its connections to the industry are unparalleled. You won't just be learning theory; you'll be immersed in a world where major equipment manufacturers like John Deere, Case IH, and AGCO actively recruit for roles in service management, diagnostics, and field testing. The program's hands-on focus prepares you for the complex reality of modern farming technology—from GPS-guided tractors to sophisticated harvesting systems. Your skills in hydraulics, electronics, and engine mechanics are highly transferable, opening doors in adjacent heavy equipment and even aviation service industries. To maximize your value, pursue an internship with a major equipment dealer or manufacturer; that direct industry experience is what turns a good starting salary into a great one.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$548K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple12.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$591K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$592K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kansas State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Agricultural Mechanization graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$86,350/yr
High
2
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 11,300 openings/yr
$78,680/yr
Low
3
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 16,500 openings/yr
$63,980/yr
Low
4
Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 8,800 openings/yr
$61,490/yr
Moderate
5
Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians
+11.0% 10-yr growth · 3,700 openings/yr
$52,080/yr
Low
6
Agricultural equipment operators
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 10,500 openings/yr
$42,580/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Agricultural Mechanization

How Kansas State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
54
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
15.5x
ROI
Top score
Sam Houston State University
TX · Public
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
17.9x
ROI
Iowa State University
IA · Public
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
16.4x
ROI
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
NE · Public
61
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
17.5x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
59
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
16.0x
ROI
Also at Kansas State University

Other top programs at Kansas State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kansas State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Agricultural Mechanization offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Agricultural Mechanization trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Agricultural Mechanization at Kansas State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Agricultural Mechanization at Kansas State University?

This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Agricultural Mechanization programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.