Learning applied: Recent K-State graduates in demand

According to Kansas State University's latest post-graduation report, 96% of 2023-2024 graduates are employed or furthering their education. | Download this photo.

Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

 

MANHATTAN — The numbers speak for themselves, 96% of K-State graduates report they are employed or furthering their education after graduation. This level of success is positive for students and means K-State is a robust, in-demand talent pipeline for Kansas businesses and the Midwest region.

With over 3,000 students graduating each year, 57% of graduates entered the workforce in the state, a 3% increase over the previous year. An additional 17% of Wildcat graduates found employment regionally in Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Of the remaining employed graduates, 25% are employed elsewhere in the U.S., and 1% found employment internationally.

"While we are glad that our graduates are open to relocating across the globe, we are proud that many graduates choose to make Kansas their home," said Kerri Keller, K-State Career Center director. "The state of Kansas and the university have worked especially hard to make Kansas where they chose to start their careers."

The knowledge rate for the report is 80%.

K-State graduates are career ready

The most recent class of K-State graduates report working for 1,721 unique employers, inlcuding Burns & McDonnell, Cargill, Garmin, Geary County USD 475, Kiewit, Koch Industries, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383, Shamrock Trading Corporation and Textron.

Career readiness, leadership and innovation top the list of skills that stand out about K-State graduates. As the top corporate employer, Burns & McDonnell seeks top-tier talent from K-State to excel within their company.

"We hire K-State graduates because they bring more than technical expertise to the table," said Matt Rosentreter, talent generation manager at Burns & McDonnell. "Their ability to lead, communicate and work well with others makes them invaluable to our team. We're proud to be the top hiring company for K-State's talented alumni."

In 2023, Burns & McDonnell opened a Student Success Center in the Kansas State University's Manhattan campus. The center offers unique learning experiences and opportunities for students studying engineering, architecture, construction and related fields.

"Our long-standing partnership with K-State has been instrumental in our success at Burns & McDonnell," Rosentreter said. "Year after year, their dedication to fostering well-rounded, career-ready students makes it clear why they are a key source of our talent."

Applied learning experiences and connections

Applied learning is all about students taking the knowledge and skills they are learning in the classroom and putting them to use in the real world. These experiences can include an internship, hands-on projects, undergraduate research, education abroad opportunities, volunteering or civic engagement.

For Thane Meadows, a May 2024 College of Business Administration graduate, applied learning experiences that began his first year at K-State had a positive and rippling effect. Following an internship during his freshman year, a faculty mentor connected Meadows with a local employer, which led to his second internship, where a passion for employee benefits took root. With a growing network of support, an introduction from his second internship paved the way for a third internship working in an employee benefits department.

"Throughout these experiences — including two on-campus jobs — I developed invaluable skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership that I continue to use every day in my career," Meadows said. "At K-State, you're surrounded by a supportive community driven by excellence and a desire to help each other succeed. The connections I made, both academically and professionally, empowered me to embrace new experiences with confidence, and now I share that same drive to always strive for excellence and support others along the way."

Return on investment

Individuals with a college education have higher incomes than those with a high school diploma. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median earnings of those with a bachelor's degree are 86% higher than those with a high school diploma. For 2023-2024, the median starting annual salary for new K-State bachelor's degree graduates increased to $58,000 — up $1,000 from the previous year.

"We continue to see more and more students converting internship experience to full-time employment — and with added salary incentives," Keller said. "That makes the applied learning efforts of the university's strategic planning even more critical to students' future career success."

K-State graduates also see success when pursuing additional education. Of the most recent graduates, 19% are furthering their education through more than 153 colleges and universities, professional schools, or continuing education sites across the U.S. and the globe. The most common fields of study are accounting, law, physical therapy and veterinary medicine.

The K-State Career Center offers recruiting events that connect students with employers across all industries and career fields. The Career Center supports current students and new graduates throughout the year following their degree completion as they pursue their next steps. Services are available to students in person at the Berney Family Welcome Center and online through the Career Center website and various virtual resources.

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