Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,627/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #81 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mechanical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $842K $804K $692K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.2x 18.4x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.2x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,768
Out-of-state: $111,264 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,532
-63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,116
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$89,754
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $72,627/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $72,627 far exceeding the $22,116 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #81 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $72,627 to $89,754 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kansas State University

Kansas State University accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 14,835 in Manhattan, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Kansas State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Mechanical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Mechanical Engineering careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $691,524 in decade earnings vs $842,091 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Kansas State University's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #81 of 320 programs nationally, Kansas State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →