Your ideas equal reality in our design/build laboratory. Mechanical engineering technology students have an all-access pass to 5,000 square feet of creative space where concepts are designed, prototyped and tested. Use technology such as 3D printers, a CNC vertical machining center, a laser cutter and an industrial robotic arm and automation cell.

Our program thrives on project-based education - providing you a real-world experience you can immediately translate. Students also receive an interactive experience in our design/build lab while using industry-relevant equipment and mastering processes and procedures.

As a student in mechanical engineering technology, you will learn directly from experienced industry professionals, not teaching assistants. Your education is relevant to current trends and technology - your instructors have been there and bring you their personal knowledge and experience.

Having the experience of competing nationally against your peers allows you to be challenged in new ways while giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills from the mechanical engineering technology program. Students at K-State Salina recently competed against other U.S. colleges in "Make48," an invent-a-thon filmed for television. They traveled to Baltimore, Maryland where they had 48 hours to plan, prototype and pitch a product idea. Baja SAE is another creative competition students have participated in, requiring the designing, building and racing of a Baja car.

The Great Plains Manufacturing Scholars Program is for students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in one of K-State Salina’s engineering technology programs and acquire first-hand knowledge of specialized industry technology by working part-time at Salina-based Great Plains Manufacturing. This provides high-level learning opportunities in advanced manufacturing, basic manufacturing, advanced robotics programming and engineering design.

Sutdents can earn a scholarship covering 85% or more of the in-state tuition rate in this program. Learn more.

Career options for mechanical engineering technology graduates include, but are not limited to:

• CAD Technician
• Design Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Mechanical Designer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Technician
• Product Engineer
• Project Engineer

Learn more about the courses in the program.

Our professional advisors are there every step of the way to guide you through your educational journey.

K-State Salina's bachelor's degree in engineering technology--mechanical engineering technology option is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Many high school students looking to pursue a future in engineering have asked the common question:

"What is the difference between engineering and engineering technology?"

Engineering technology emphasizes the application of existing scientific and engineering techniques to a variety of real-world problems. “Application” is the key word in this definition, in that engineering technology differs from engineering in its emphasis on practical applications rather than on theory and design. Engineering technicians and technologists work in the job spectrum between the engineer and the skilled craftsman, with responsibilities closest to those of the engineer.

Sometimes the distinction between a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology (like the ones we offer here at the Aerospace and Technology Campus) and the traditional bachelor’s degree in engineering (like the ones offered on the Manhattan campus) is not very obvious. Similar math, science, and communications courses appear in both types of degree programs. Engineering technology courses usually emphasize application of the technical concepts rather than theoretical development of those concepts. Although the technical courses in engineering technology are often less math-intensive, they also include a much higher concentration of laboratory work.

Our esteemed faculty is made up of individuals who have real-world industry experience and a wealth of research expertise to help you learn the most essential skills and information.