NC State vs K-State
North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Kansas State University, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. NC State boasts a higher acceptance rate (51%) compared to K-State's (48%), making it slightly easier to gain admission. While NC State excels in engineering, computer science, and agriculture, K-State shines in animal sciences, plant sciences, and engineering. NC State's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students, while K-State has a slightly higher graduation rate (78% vs. 76%). Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Kansas State University |
![]() North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
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Overview |
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Location | Manhattan, Kansas | Raleigh, North Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
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% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.6% | 47.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | N/A | 1270 - 1440 |
ACT range | N/A | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 34.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,822 | 32,998 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,391 | 15,669 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,848 | 5,046 |
Yield rate | 30.3% | 32.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not 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
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In state:
$24,986
Out of state:
$45,771
|
Average net price | $19,874 | $14,328 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,489
Out of state:
$25,560
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In state:
$6,535
Out of state:
$27,320
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,200
Meal plan:
$4,900
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Room/dormitory:
$6,768
Meal plan:
$4,833
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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 |
62.0%
Average amount $9,318 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,095 |
40.0%
Average amount $5,022 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,579 |
6.0%
Average amount $14,600 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
26,505
Men 50.9% Women 49.1% |
Graduate students |
4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
10,326
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 21.8% | 12.9% |
International students | 5.4% | 9.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,696 | 10,024 |
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 | North Carolina Virginia New York New Jersey Maryland |
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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 | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.4% | 84.4% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 5.0% |
Transferred out | 20.4% | 9.6% |
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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Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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