K-State vs University of Kansas (KU)
Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, two prominent public universities in the Sunflower State, offer distinct educational experiences to prospective students. K-State, located in the vibrant college town of Manhattan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to KU's 80%. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with K-State renowned for its engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine programs, while KU shines in liberal arts, business, and education. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and popular majors, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Kansas State University |
![]() University of Kansas |
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Overview |
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Location | Manhattan, Kansas | Lawrence, Kansas |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
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% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.6% | 92.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | N/A | 1090 - 1330 |
ACT range | N/A | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 12.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,822 | 15,275 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,391 | 14,129 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,848 | 4,119 |
Yield rate | 30.3% | 29.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not 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
|
In state:
$25,259
Out of state:
$42,127
|
Average net price | $19,874 | $18,608 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,489
Out of state:
$25,560
|
In state:
$10,092
Out of state:
$26,960
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,200
Meal plan:
$4,900
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,100
Meal plan:
$3,800
|
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 |
80.0%
Average amount $10,408 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,095 |
40.0%
Average amount $5,220 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,579 |
6.0%
Average amount $13,036 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
19,158
Men 46.8% Women 53.2% |
Graduate students |
4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
7,622
Men 42.7% Women 57.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 21.8% | 41.5% |
International students | 5.4% | 6.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,696 | 5,235 |
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 | Kansas Missouri Illinois Texas Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.4% | 66.0% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | 20.4% | 24.6% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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