Campus Vibe
Known for business — excellent value
Kansas State University is a public institution in Manhattan with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1149, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A large campus of 14.8K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $57,262 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,883.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Kansas State University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1149
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
63.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$17,294
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
114
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (303)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
87%
- •87% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Wildcats
History & Fun Facts
- •The school was the first land-grant college created under the Morrill Act.
- •The effort to establish the school began in 1861, the year that Kansas was admitted to the United States.
- •In 1862, another bill to make Manhattan the site of the state university failed by one vote.
- •Capitol When the college opened for its first session on September 2, 1863, it became only the second public institution of higher learning to admit women and men equally in the United States.
- •Enrollment for the first session totaled 52 students: 26 men and 26 women.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS · Urban · Public
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS · Town · Public
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS · Urban · Public
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, OH · Suburban · Public