Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

Ferris State University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,087 in Big Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Ferris State University's Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies program earn $56,819/yr in their first year — 29% above the $43,886 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 30.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 31% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,580 in median debt against $56,819 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #10 of 22 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs, Ferris State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $56,819 to $79,895 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies offers 49 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
57
Score
58
High End
Earnings $56,819/yr (29% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$859K
8.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
31.5x
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
$27,260
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,580
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,895
41% 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

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ferris State University's Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies program score?
This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates.
How affordable is Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Ferris State University?
At $15,580 in median debt, Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates from Ferris State University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 49 registered apprenticeships connected to Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates?
Our model shows a 31% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Is there demand for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies workers?
The career paths mapped to Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies have roughly 87,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →