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Engineering · Engineering Rank #8 of 47

Engineeringat Minnesota State University-Mankato

Graduates earn $68,044/yr in their first year — about 2.0% below the national Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $709K; scenarios range from $630K to $729K depending on AI disruption.

Mankato, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
69
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$68,044
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$709K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Minnesota State University-Mankato

This program's impressive overall standing reflects a strong return on your investment, providing a solid foundation for a successful career. While initial earnings might sit just below the national average for general engineering, this often reflects the regional labor market dynamics around Mankato, which serves as a vital hub for manufacturing, agriculture, and regional infrastructure, rather than a major metropolitan tech center.

Graduates frequently find roles at companies like Kato Engineering, Taylor Corporation, or within regional firms supporting diverse industries. Your general engineering background offers versatility, preparing you for a range of positions from process optimization to design and project management. Given the high AI risk associated with many engineering tasks, focus on developing interdisciplinary problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. To maximize your trajectory, actively pursue internships and co-ops to gain specialized experience and build a professional network within your chosen industry niche.

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
$630K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$709K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple18.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$729K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple19.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Engineering 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
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Engineering

How Minnesota State University-Mankato stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
MA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$109K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Harvey Mudd College
CA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$92K
1-yr earn
3.7x
ROI
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
72
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
19.5x
ROI
McNeese State University
LA · Public
72
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
28.4x
ROI
Also at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Other top programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato

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

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Engineering at Minnesota State University-Mankato

What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Engineering at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

At 68/100, Minnesota State University-Mankato's Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Engineering at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Minnesota State University-Mankato one of the best schools for Engineering?

Among 47 Engineering programs, Minnesota State University-Mankato's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.