Kansas State University combines accessible admission with balanced outcomes across agriculture, engineering, and business. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university maintains manageable debt levels while delivering steady career preparation, ranking in the top quartile nationally for mobility outcomes.
With above average outcomes, driven by steady long-term earnings relative to educational investment costs
With above average performance, reflecting controlled net costs and moderate debt levels for graduates
With above average results, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisKansas State University combines accessible admission with controlled borrowing and steady career outcomes across multiple fields. Graduates earn a median of $57,262 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 64.0th percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $38,852 at the 25th percentile to $82,952 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program portfolio from agriculture to engineering. While graduates earn $2,597 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution around the national average for earnings uplift, the debt profile remains favorable.
Students seeking strong outcomes in agriculture, engineering, and business at an accessible public university. Well-suited for Kansas residents and students prioritizing manageable debt with solid career preparation across diverse fields.
Best for those who value practical, career-focused programs over highly selective admission environments.
Kansas State University admits 79.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 students who apply receive an offer of admission. This places Kansas State in the Open Access tier for selectivity, making the university accessible to students across a wide range of academic preparation levels.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Kansas State's acceptance rate aligns closely with similar public universities nationwide. Students should expect that gaining admission to Kansas State is achievable with solid academic preparation rather than exceptional credentials.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kansas State University's published cost of attendance reaches $25,441 per year, including $10,942 for in-state tuition, $12,020 for room and board, and $1,056 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $27,816, raising total costs significantly.
However, the average student pays $17,883 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,558 through institutional and federal assistance programs. This net price compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, though Kansas State costs $2,293 more annually than similar public universities.
The university's financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income level, with lower-income families receiving substantially more support than middle and upper-income households. Kansas State's approach to pricing reflects typical public university patterns, where published prices appear high but actual costs depend heavily on financial aid eligibility.
Students should focus on net price calculations rather than sticker prices when evaluating affordability, as the gap between published and actual costs can exceed $7,500 annually. The university's financial aid programs particularly benefit families earning under $75,000, while higher-income families pay closer to full published prices for attendance.
Chemical Engineering, Other.
70 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
66 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
80 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
60 graduates
Agricultural and Food Products Processing.
49 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marshall University Similar quality tier (#370 ranked) | WV | 96% | $46,354 | #370 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Kansas State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/kansas-state-university/analysis.
Well above average mobility outcomes
Kansas State University ranks #375 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 77.0th percentile. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public university maintains open access admission with a 79.4% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
Kansas State enrolls 19.3% Pell-eligible students and 22.5% first-generation students, reflecting moderate accessibility within the public university landscape. The university admits roughly 4 out of 5 applicants, positioning it as accessible to students across academic preparation levels.
Despite open admission standards, graduates demonstrate solid earnings growth, with median earnings reaching $57,262 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 64.0th percentile nationally. However, graduates earn $2,597 below expectations relative to similar students, placing Kansas State around the national average for value-added performance.
This combination of accessible admission, moderate access measures, and steady outcomes places Kansas State within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while maintaining strong post-graduation results.
The university's open access approach means that most qualified high school graduates can expect admission, though specific programs may have additional requirements. For students building college lists, Kansas State represents a reliable option that balances accessibility with quality outcomes.
The combination of open admission standards and solid post-graduation results makes Kansas State particularly attractive for students seeking practical career preparation without the stress of highly competitive admission processes. Students should focus on demonstrating consistent academic performance and genuine interest in their chosen field of study rather than worrying about meeting extremely selective standards.
Kansas State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth from early to mid-career stages. Median earnings rise from $49,330 six years after enrollment to $52,622 at eight years and $57,262 at ten years, representing 16.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 5,714 graduates, providing strong confidence in the reported figures across the university's diverse program mix. Graduates earn $2,597 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Kansas State at the 44.8th percentile for earnings beyond expectations, around the national average.
Low-income graduates earn $50,300, ranking at the 25th percentile nationally among institutions, indicating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with graduates at the 75th percentile earning $82,952 compared to $38,852 at the 25th percentile, reflecting differences across program areas from agriculture and education to engineering and business.
Approximately 21.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the university prepares students for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, Kansas State graduates earn $3,281 less annually, positioning the university slightly below similar public institutions in long-term earnings outcomes.
Kansas State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Chemical Engineering ranks #10 nationally and #1 in Kansas, producing 70 graduates with median earnings of $97,457 and a value score of 92.7.
Construction Engineering Technology ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Kansas, graduating 80 students with median earnings of $90,782. Mechanical Engineering ranks #120 nationally but #1 in Kansas, with 216 graduates earning $79,131.
Agricultural programs demonstrate particular strength, with Agricultural Animal Breeding ranking #13 nationally and #1 in Kansas, graduating 225 students with median earnings of $44,097. Agribusiness operations ranks #14 nationally and #1 in Kansas, producing 103 graduates earning $61,185.
Business programs also perform well, with Digital Marketing ranking #64 nationally and #2 in Kansas, graduating 180 students with median earnings of $61,965. The university's expertise in agriculture and engineering is reflected in multiple #1 state rankings, while business and technology programs compete effectively at both state and national levels.
Ten of the twenty programs hold flagship status at the university, indicating concentrated strength across diverse academic areas.
Alabama A & M University Similar quality tier (#369 ranked) | AL | 66% | $40,628 | #369 | Compare |
State University Of New York At Cortland Similar quality tier (#368 ranked) | NY | 51% | $60,236 | #368 | Compare |
Louisiana Tech University Similar quality tier (#376 ranked) | LA | 73% | $52,279 | #376 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Similar quality tier in Midwest (#363 ranked) | WI | 87% | $61,760 | #363 | Compare |
