Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS · Public · Certificate · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 2,778 in Wichita, KS.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,427/yr fall 51% below the $43,886 national median for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 59.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates.

At $4,750 in median debt against $21,427 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #20 out of 22 programs, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,427 to $42,373 over five years (98% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 49 registered apprenticeships mapped to Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $21,427/yr (-51% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$376K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
62.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,018
Out-of-state: $6,928
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,750
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,373
98% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830 +8.1% 68%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians $70,760 +1.1% 58%
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
$79,830
+8.1% growth 68% AI-proof
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians
$70,760
+1.1% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

About Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies Careers

Your skills will put you at the heart of how things work, whether in a bustling auto shop or a high-tech manufacturing lab. On any given day, you might be using diagnostic scanners and wrenches to pinpoint an engine problem in a modern vehicle, getting your hands dirty to make the fix. Alternatively, you could be working alongside engineers, using precision instruments and CAD software to test a new aerospace component or calibrate the robotic arms on an assembly line. This hands-on expertise is your career's foundation, tackling real-world problems that can't be solved from a desk or automated away.

Read the full Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies Overview

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology's Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies program score?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How affordable is Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
Median debt of just $4,750 against $21,427/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology a good choice for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 49 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies career paths, including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How sensitive is Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies workers?
With approximately 87,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →