Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
Kansas State University logo

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS·Public·15,142 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 15,142 students.

82%
Accept
15,142
Students
$19,406
Net Price
71%
Grad Rate
$51,900
Earnings
10 yr
$21,250
Debt

About This School

Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas with approximately 15,142 undergraduate students enrolled. Kansas State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,406 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $51,900 within 10 years of enrollment.

Kansas State University is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

One of the oldest public universities in Kansas with a broad range of programs, this land-grant school offers solid value at roughly $17,900/year after aid, and graduates leave with relatively modest debt around $17,300. The 87% freshman retention rate suggests students generally feel at home here, and median earnings of $51,900 a decade out are reasonable, though not exceptional. Worth considering if you're drawn to agriculture, engineering, or veterinary sciences — areas where K-State has real, specific strength — but if you're undecided on a major, keep an eye on that 70% graduation rate, which means roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish.

Founded
1863
Setting
Small city
Avg Faculty Salary
$10,853

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing26%
Engineering10%
Education8%
Biological Sciences7%
Social Sciences4%
Health Professions4%
Computer Science3%
Communications2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Juan Manuel SantosClyde TombaughKirstie AlleyVernon L. SmithErin BrockovichScott BakulaJoseph BoakaiRob RiggleMitch RichmondEric StonestreetSam BrownbackMichael Beasley

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1151
Reading 75th %ile640
Math 75th %ile620

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

What This School Looks For

From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:

Academic GPAVery Important
Standardized test scoresImportant
Class rankConsidered
Recommendation lettersConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Application essayConsidered
Rigor of secondary school recordConsidered
15,432 students applied, 12,653 were admitted, and 3,482 enrolled.

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$11,221
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,568
Avg Net Price
$19,406
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$13,178
$30–48k$14,143
$48–75k$15,369
$75–110k$20,110
$110k+$23,665

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants21%
Median debt at graduation$21,250

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
71%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
86%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,900
after enrollment
Median Debt
$21,250
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$46,200
Female graduates$36,300

Gap: 21% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$21,250
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$41,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,900
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White79%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian2%
Two or more races4%
International2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (15,142 undergraduates).

In the Classroom & On Campus

Class size distribution

Under 20
45.4%
20–29
22%
30–39
11.7%
40–49
9%
50–99
8%
100+
3.9%
Student–Faculty Ratio
19:1
Faculty with PhD/Terminal Degree
74%

Source: Kansas State University Common Data Set (2024-25).

Contact & Location

Address

Kansas State University

919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall

Manhattan, KS 66506

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Kansas

Browse all Kansas schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.