Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Emporia State University #660 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,751, placing Emporia State University in the 13.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #770 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #660 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Emporia, Kansas, Emporia State University enrolls roughly 2,239 undergraduates. Retention stands at 76.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 56.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Emporia State University builds its value proposition on access and affordability. 34.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.0% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a broad-access institution serving students from modest economic backgrounds. Graduates earn about $5,107 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Emporia State University in the 76.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #761 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Education — a field that dominates its degree output and aligns with stable, in-demand careers — anchors its economic profile. For students prioritizing affordability, workforce readiness, and a supportive regional campus environment, Emporia State University delivers predictable long-term outcomes without the cost premium of selective institutions.
Emporia State University's published cost of attendance is $21,967. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,452, middle-income families pay around $14,229, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,531. Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #312 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Emporia State's affordability profile reflects its public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. For families weighing the full cost picture, the gap between sticker price and net price matters: published cost of attendance can differ substantially from what families actually pay after aid, and understanding both figures helps with financial planning. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,050; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,751, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Emporia State University is a strong fit for students interested in education and related fields who want a public university experience in KS. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $53,751, placing Emporia State University in the 13.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $5,107 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 76.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 34.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.0% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Emporia State University in the 25.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.7% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors education-oriented fields over STEM or business. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive. ---
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Emporia State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Emporia State University's published cost of attendance is $21,967. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $11,452, middle-income families pay around $14,229, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,531.
Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #312 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Emporia State's affordability profile reflects its public-university tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
For families weighing the full cost picture, the gap between sticker price and net price matters: published cost of attendance can differ substantially from what families actually pay after aid, and understanding both figures helps with financial planning. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,050; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,751, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Emporia State University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,751, placing Emporia State University in the 13.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,107 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Emporia State University in the 76.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Emporia State University #761 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Emporia State University's concentration in education and teacher-preparation fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 143 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,195, and Azimuth ranks the program 1.0× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The Nursing program graduates 86 students earning $71,002, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Business Administration round out the top programs with $50,458 and $60,719 respectively.
These outcomes underscore how Emporia State University's mission-driven focus on preparing educators translates into stable, predictable career pathways and long-term financial security for graduates entering the teaching profession.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of South Carolina Aiken Similar quality tier (#19157 ranked) | SC | 79% | $45,603 | #19157 | Compare |
Truman State University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19179 ranked) | MO | 84% | $56,280 | #19179 | Compare |
Angelo State University Similar quality tier (#19154 ranked) | TX | 83% | $50,116 | #19154 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-River Falls Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19153 ranked) | WI | 82% | $54,458 | #19153 | Compare |
Southeast Missouri State University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19147 ranked) | MO | 74% | $44,030 | #19147 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
86 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
14 graduates
Information Science/Studies
14 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
32 graduates
Biology, General
19 graduates
Emporia State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation, reflecting the institution's historical mission as a regional teacher-training university. Teacher Education is the largest program with 143 graduates annually, followed by Nursing, Subject-Specific Teacher Education, Business Administration, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 709 students annually, the portfolio reflects a concentration in Education alongside complementary fields in business, health professions, and applied sciences. The earnings pattern shows meaningful variation by field.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $71,002 four years after enrollment, followed by Accounting at $65,271, Biology, General at $65,043, and Business Administration at $60,719. Teacher Education, the institution's largest program, generates median earnings of $46,195, while Nursing graduates earn $71,002 and Subject-Specific Teacher Education graduates earn $50,458.
Education programs at Emporia State University represent a grad-school-dependent pathway where four-year earnings reflect early-career outcomes in school districts and educational settings, with many graduates continuing to graduate study or advanced certification. The institution's strength in teacher preparation aligns with stable, essential labor-market demand in Kansas and surrounding regions.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how education and related fields align with regional workforce needs and long-term career trajectories.
