Mechanical Engineering Technology at McPherson College

McPherson, KS · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,278/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #59 of 59 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs

Program Analysis

The outcomes for this program suggest you're entering a highly localized and specialized job market, typical for technician-level roles at smaller, regional institutions. Many students find initial opportunities within Kansas, often in manufacturing, automotive support, or general industrial maintenance, rather than the higher-paying aerospace sectors concentrated further afield. The curriculum likely emphasizes practical, hands-on skills, but without robust, established recruiting pipelines to major industrial employers, graduates often face a challenging path to secure competitive positions. You might find yourself competing with graduates from dedicated technical schools or community colleges, which can sometimes offer stronger local industry ties for these specific roles. Before committing, thoroughly research where recent graduates are actually employed and consider if those opportunities align with your career aspirations and geographic flexibility.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $488K $489K $464K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$140,648
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$99,348
29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,975
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings

About McPherson College

McPherson College accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 786 students in McPherson, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at McPherson College →

Top Career Paths

Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830/yr
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390/yr
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians $70,760/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering Technology at Other Schools

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does McPherson College's Mechanical Engineering Technology program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Mechanical Engineering Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Mechanical Engineering Technology earnings lower at McPherson College?
Lower starting pay at McPherson College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →