Kansas State University Majors & Programs (2025) | Azimuth

Kansas State University Programs & Rankings

Outcomes-based program rankings.

Program outcomes at Kansas State University vary significantly by field of study, reflecting the institution's diverse academic portfolio from agriculture to engineering. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.

Analyzing 57 programs with available earnings data.

These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at Kansas State.

Notable Programs

Highest Earnings

Chemical Engineering, Other.

$97K

#11 nationally

Best National Rank

Gerontology.

$65K median earnings

Largest Enrollment

Agricultural Animal Breeding.

Program Insights

Highest Earning Programs

Engineering and technology programs generate the highest earnings at Kansas State, with Chemical Engineering leading at $97,457, followed by Construction Engineering Technology at $90,782, and Mechanical Engineering at $79,131. Computer Science programs produce $69,338 in median earnings, while business programs cluster in the $60,000-$70,000 range. Agricultural and education programs typically generate $40,000-$60,000 in median earnings, reflecting different career pathway expectations. The earnings distribution demonstrates Kansas State's strength in technical fields while maintaining strong programs across diverse academic areas.

Top Ranked Programs

Kansas State University achieves exceptional national rankings in several specialized fields, led by Construction Engineering Technology at #3 nationally and Chemical Engineering at #10 nationally. Agricultural programs demonstrate concentrated strength with Agricultural Animal Breeding at #13 nationally, Agribusiness at #14 nationally, and Research Methodology at #15 nationally. The university's expertise in agricultural and technical education appears throughout the rankings, with multiple programs achieving top-25 national status. These rankings reflect Kansas State's mission-driven focus on practical, career-oriented education in fields central to Kansas's economic base and regional industry needs.

Earnings Distribution (10yr)Across 57 programs

Median: $46K

$19KLowest

$97KHighest

$0$63K$125K$188K$250K

This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.

The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.

These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Kansas State University.

Engineering & Technology

$78K avg

11 programs2 Top 10 Nationally

Engineering programs at Kansas State University deliver the institution's strongest earnings outcomes, with Chemical Engineering producing graduates earning $97,457 and ranking #10 nationally. Construction Engineering Technology ranks #3 nationally with $90,782 median earnings, while Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $79,131.

Computer Science programs generate $69,338 in median earnings. These programs demonstrate Kansas State's technical education strength, though debt levels vary from $20,000 to $34,792 across specializations.

This group is best suited for students prioritizing high-earning career paths in technical fields.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Chemical Engineering, Other.

How We Rank Programs

These program outcomes reflect actual graduate earnings and debt levels from federal College Scorecard data, based on cohorts with at least 10 graduates. Rankings compare programs nationally within the same field of study, providing context for how Kansas State programs perform relative to similar programs at other institutions. Earnings represent median income levels 10 years after enrollment, while debt figures show typical borrowing for program graduates. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall program return on investment. Note that this represents a sample of Kansas State's programs with sufficient data for analysis, not a comprehensive catalog of all academic offerings. Students should consider career interests, program fit, and long-term goals alongside these outcome metrics when making academic decisions.

Ranking Inputs

40%
Graduate Earnings
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
20%
Affordability
Debt burden relative to earnings
15%
Value-Added
Institutional contribution to outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions about Kansas State University Majors & Programs

The strongest program by earnings at Kansas State University is Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, with graduates earning $71,734 median salary.

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering is Kansas State University's highest-earning program, with graduates earning $71,734 median salary.

Kansas State University graduates earn near expected levels based on student demographics. Graduates earn $2,597 less than predicted.

Azimuth ranks Kansas's programs at three levels: state (KS), regional, and national. Rankings are based on graduate earnings outcomes, not prestige or reputation. This helps students find the best programs for career outcomes in their target geography.

Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University produces graduates earning $70,456 median salary. Compare this to other schools using Azimuth's major rankings.

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Business & Economics

$54K avg

8 programs

Business programs at Kansas State University show consistent mid-range earnings with good debt management. Digital Marketing leads with $61,965 median earnings and ranks #64 nationally, while Business Administration graduates earn $59,548.

Banking and Financial Support Services produces $63,146 in earnings, and Accounting Technology generates $68,922. Debt levels range from $18,834 to $35,793 across business specializations.

Research Methodology provides a social science alternative with $42,603 earnings and lower debt of $15,518. These programs suit students seeking reliable career preparation in business and finance.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.	#133	$68,922★	—	102
Banking and Financial Support Services.	#123	$63,146	$35,793	186
Digital Marketing.	#61	$61,965	$31,500	180
Business Administration and Management, General.	#138	$59,548	$23,892	188
Information Resources Management.	#70	$58,673	—	49
Business/Commerce, General.	#66	$43,798	—	29
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other.	#30	$41,205	—	28
Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management.	#86	$35,503	—	27

Health

$45K avg

1 program

💡

Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist. leads health with 45K in median earnings.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist.	#26	$44,612	—	60

Sciences & Mathematics

$36K avg

6 programs

Science programs at Kansas State show varied outcomes depending on specialization and career pathway. Biology graduates earn $49,286 with moderate debt of $17,000, ranking #151 nationally.

Aerospace Physiology and Medicine produces lower earnings of $31,958, reflecting the specialized nature of this field and potential for graduate school continuation. Nutrition Sciences generates $33,381 in median earnings.

The wide range in outcomes reflects different career trajectories, from immediate workforce entry to graduate school preparation. This group suits students pursuing research, healthcare, or graduate school pathways.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Biology, General.	#151	$49,286★	$17,000	90
Algebra and Number Theory.	#195	$43,067	—	39
Immunology.	#48	$35,523	—	24
Aerospace Physiology and Medicine.	#24	$31,958	$24,000	130
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.	#104	$29,651	—	26
Animal Behavior and Ethology.	#24	$23,649	$25,699	27

$44K avg

8 programs

💡

Applied Economics. leads social sciences & policy with 68K in median earnings.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Applied Economics.	#123	$68,155★	—	39
American Government and Politics (United States).	#72	$56,647	$27,793	44
Forensic Social Work.	#97	$45,037	$14,273	36
Geographic Information Science and Cartography.Small sample	—	$42,682	—	9
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods.	#18	$42,603	$15,518	95
Applied/Public Sociology.	#206	$40,827	$25,500	60
Behavioral Neuroscience.	#39	$36,257	$21,678	80
Anthropology, General.	#164	$18,567	—	28

Communications

$47K avg

2 programs

Broadcast Journalism at Kansas State demonstrates strong performance with graduates earning $47,601 and ranking #29 nationally, #2 in Kansas. With 109 graduates annually, this program represents focused strength in media and communications education.

Debt levels average $30,000, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio for communications field standards. This program suits students interested in media careers who value hands-on training and practical experience in broadcast environments.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Broadcast Journalism.	#30	$47,601★	$30,000	109
Communication and Media Studies, Other.	#170	$45,562	—	34

Humanities & Arts

$39K avg

4 programs

💡

American History (United States). leads humanities & arts with 50K in median earnings.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
American History (United States).	#98	$49,990★	—	27
Commercial Photography.	#88	$43,992	—	24
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.	#89	$37,783	$19,754	54
English Language and Literature, General.	#316	$24,035	—	39

Education

$41K avg

2 programs

Adult and Continuing Education at Kansas State produces graduates earning $43,398 with $26,279 in median debt, ranking #72 nationally but #2 in Kansas. This program reflects the university's commitment to workforce development and lifelong learning, serving students interested in corporate training, adult education, or continuing education administration.

Earnings align with typical education field patterns, emphasizing public service over high income potential. This program suits students passionate about adult learning and professional development rather than traditional K-12 teaching.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching.	#79	$43,398★	$26,279	220
Agricultural Teacher Education.	#150	$38,529	$28,352	47

Agriculture & Environment

$54K avg

8 programs1 Top 10 Nationally

Agriculture programs represent a signature strength at Kansas State University, with multiple programs ranking #1 in Kansas. Agricultural Animal Breeding graduates earn $44,097 and rank #13 nationally, while Agribusiness operations produces $61,185 in earnings with strong #14 national ranking.

These programs benefit from Kansas State's agricultural heritage and industry connections, delivering solid career preparation with manageable debt levels typically under $25,000. This group is ideal for students interested in food systems, agricultural business, or rural economic development careers.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Agricultural and Food Products Processing.	—	$82,177★	$41,834	49
Brewing Science.	#15	$62,746	—	41
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations.	#14	$61,185	$18,834	103
Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology/Technician.	#9	$49,019	—	20
Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding.	#14	$47,890	$34,739	71
Environmental Science.	#102	$44,486	—	23
Agricultural Animal Breeding.	#13	$44,097	$35,464	225
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other.	—	$39,705	—	24

Other & Interdisciplinary

$43K avg

7 programs2 Top 10 Nationally

Adult Development and Aging represents Kansas State's interdisciplinary approach to specialized fields, producing graduates earning $38,866 with $27,305 in debt. This program ranks #48 nationally and #1 in Kansas, reflecting growing demand for expertise in aging services and gerontology.

While earnings are moderate, this field offers meaningful career paths in healthcare, social services, and policy work with aging populations. This program suits students interested in serving older adults through diverse professional roles.

Program	National Rank	Median Earnings	Median Debt	Cohort Size
Gerontology.	#1 🏆	$64,651★	$31,493	58
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General.	#20	$59,840	—	30
Apparel and Textile Manufacture.	#21	$39,729	$25,304	58
Adult Development and Aging.	#52	$38,866	$27,305	119
Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management.	#27	$37,083	—	23
Nutrition Sciences.	#22	$33,381	—	98
Natural Sciences.	#6	$24,035	$22,242	71

Program Highlights