K-State vs Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Kansas State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, located in Manhattan, Kansas, and Magnolia, Arkansas, respectively, offer distinct educational experiences. Kansas State, a public research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Southern Arkansas's 75%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Kansas State excelling in fields like engineering, agriculture, and business, while Southern Arkansas is known for its strong nursing, education, and liberal arts programs. Kansas State's larger student body (25,000+) provides a vibrant campus life, while Southern Arkansas's smaller size (3,000+) fosters a close-knit community. With different graduation rates (78% vs. 48%), cost of attendance, and locations, these universities cater to different student preferences. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Kansas State University |
![]() Southern Arkansas University Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Manhattan, Kansas | Magnolia, Arkansas |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 64.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.6% | 62.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
|
$25 |
SAT range | N/A | 930 - 1140 |
ACT range | N/A | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 100.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,822 | 2,813 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,391 | 1,761 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,848 | 632 |
Yield rate | 30.3% | 35.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,866
Out of state:
$39,937
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In state:
$26,411
Out of state:
$31,631
|
Average net price | $19,874 | $14,141 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,489
Out of state:
$25,560
|
In state:
$6,750
Out of state:
$11,970
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,200
Meal plan:
$4,900
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,340
Meal plan:
$3,444
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
88.0%
Average amount $6,774 |
98.0%
Average amount $8,861 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,095 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,247 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,579 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,817 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
3,160
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
Graduate students |
4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
1,274
Men 35.2% Women 64.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 21.8% | 28.0% |
International students | 5.4% | 7.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 5,696 | 2,032 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado | Arkansas Texas Louisiana Oklahoma Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.4% | 40.1% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 23.3% |
Transferred out | 20.4% | 35.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Agricultural and Food Products Processing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
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