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Kansas State University

K-State

Manhattan, Kansas 66506

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

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.

Established
1863
Motto
"Rule by Obeying Nature's Laws"
Mascot
Willie the Wildcat
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

79%Acceptance
1149SAT Avg
14,835Students
18:1Student:Faculty
70%Grad Rate
$57,262Earnings 10yr
$17,883Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate79.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1149

Reading & Writing
530630
Math
510630

ACT Score Range

Composite
2027

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,942
Tuition (out-of-state)$27,816
Room & Board$12,020
Books & Supplies$1,056
Total Cost of Attendance$25,441
Average Net Price$17,883
Median Debt at Graduation$21,250
Monthly Payment (10yr)$225

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,742
$30–48K$11,964
$48–75K$14,458
$75–110K$19,880
$110K+$21,843

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

63.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.0%/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)

29

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

12

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

30

Drug Arrests

22

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%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
14,835
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
22%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 3%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate70.5%
Freshman Retention87.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,330
10 Years$57,262

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#158
vs 2024
Forbes
#213
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#484
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Wildcats

SoccerBasketball

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

96Average

Estimated from KS state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
107 mi(185 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
345 mi(598 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
435 mi(754 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City100 mi
OKC Oklahoma City268 mi
STL St Louis335 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1348 mi · ~38h 57m drive
New York, NY1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
Hartford, CT1265 mi · ~36h 33m drive
Providence, RI1330 mi · ~38h 25m drive
Albany, NY1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
Syracuse, NY1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Rochester, NY1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Buffalo, NY955 mi · ~27h 35m drive
Philadelphia, PA1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Pittsburgh, PA883 mi · ~25h 31m drive
Harrisburg, PA1047 mi · ~30h 15m drive
Newark, NJ1188 mi · ~34h 19m drive
Washington, DC1047 mi · ~30h 15m drive
Baltimore, MD1066 mi · ~30h 48m drive
Atlanta, GA774 mi · ~22h 22m drive
Charlotte, NC907 mi · ~26h 12m drive
Raleigh, NC1010 mi · ~29h 11m drive
Miami, FL1327 mi · ~38h 20m drive
Orlando, FL1138 mi · ~32h 53m drive
Tampa, FL1122 mi · ~32h 25m drive
Nashville, TN575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
New Orleans, LA737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Richmond, VA1041 mi · ~30h 4m drive
Chicago, IL505 mi · ~14h 35m drive
Detroit, MI740 mi · ~21h 23m drive
Minneapolis, MN435 mi · ~12h 34m drive
St. Louis, MO345 mi · ~9h 58m drive
Kansas City, MO107 mi · ~3h 5m drive
Indianapolis, IN557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Columbus, OH725 mi · ~20h 57m drive
Cleveland, OH799 mi · ~23h 5m drive
Milwaukee, WI524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
Dallas, TX443 mi · ~12h 48m drive
Houston, TX655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
Austin, TX620 mi · ~17h 55m drive
San Antonio, TX683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Los Angeles, CA1249 mi · ~36h 5m drive
San Francisco, CA1396 mi · ~40h 20m drive
San Diego, CA1231 mi · ~35h 34m drive
Seattle, WA1409 mi · ~40h 42m drive
Portland, OR1395 mi · ~40h 18m drive
Denver, CO450 mi · ~13h drive
Phoenix, AZ948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Salt Lake City, UT817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Honolulu, HI3785 mi · ~109h 21m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Kansas State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications