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Kansas State University (KSU) is a public, land-grant institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. There are also several satellite campuses throughout the state. Founded in 1863, it was the first public institution of higher learning in the state. While Manhattan is home to the university’s main campus, offerings are administered in Olathe and Salina as well. Additionally, Kansas State University has a global campus that delivers educational opportunities to students who want to study online or at a distance. The school is also notable for its very high research activity.


Overview of Kansas State University (KSU)


The institution provides students opportunities to study what they love and connect it to sustainable careers. Kansas State University is also dedicated to fostering an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere in which everyone feels supported and empowered to take intellectual risks. The Princeton Review ranked the school among the best in the nation for quality of life, happiest students, community relations, and more. Additionally, Glassdoor named Kansas State University as one of the nation’s top universities for employment.

The total student population is 16,854. Of those, 16,257 are undergraduates. Additionally, the university employs 1,367 full-time and 3,068 part-time faculty members, most of whom are responsible for instruction. Approximately 302 full-time and 13 part-time professors perform research. The school also has 1,191 graduate assistants, 553 of whom assist in classrooms and 638 of whom perform research. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, which is about average in the nation.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting City: Small
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 19:1
Graduation Rate 68%
Year Founded 1863

Student Enrollment


Total Students20,229

Undergraduate
15,619
Graduate
4,610

Undergraduate Student

Male 7,809.5
7,809.5
Female 7,809.5
7,809.5

Graduate Student

Male 2,305
2,305
Female 2,305
2,305

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KSU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS9,822

Male 4,575
Female 5,247

ACCEPTANCE9,429

Male 4,346
Female 5,037

Acceptance Rate96%

Male 95%
Female 96%

Enrollment 2,829

Male 1,391
Female 1,461
Admissions
Application Fee $40
High School GPA Required
High School Rank Recommended
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Recommended
Recommendations NA
SAT/ACT Recommended
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) NA
Application Deadline Rolling
Common Application Accepted Yes

KSU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


The cost of tuition and fees at Kansas State University will depend on the campus selected, as well as the type of program entered. For Kansas residents enrolled in undergraduate, campus-based programs, the cost per credit hour is $316. Non-residents will pay $852 per credit hour. The cost is different for graduate students, however. In-state graduate students will pay $429 per credit hour, while out-of-state graduate students will pay $959 per credit hour. Notably, tuition rates vary for veterinary medicine students and those enrolled in specialized programs.

Additionally, the institution charges student service fees. Undergraduates taking up to 11 credit hours will pay an extra $39 per credit hour, while those taking 12 credits hours or more will pay a maximum total of $465. Graduate students taking up to eight credit hours will pay $52 per credit hour, while graduate students enrolled in nine credit hours or more will pay a maximum of $465.

It’s important to realize that students will also need to account for other living expenses, such as room and board. Kansas State University offers on-campus room and board, but it will add to the overall cost of attendance. Additional expenses will include other fees, books, supplies, health insurance, transportation, and personal items.

Kansas State University offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, as well as access to other financial aid options. Assistance is available to incoming domestic and international freshmen, transfer, and graduate students planning to attend any of the university’s campus locations. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 93% of students enrolled at the institution received some form of financial assistance. The majority of aid awarded was in the form of grants and scholarships, but 42% of students still required some amount of assistance in loans.

Average net price 2020-2021
Net Price $19,874
Average Total Aid $6,774
Students Receiving Financial Aid 93%
Room & Board $10,100

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $10,420
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $26,491
  • Books and Supplies - $1,006
  • Room & Board - $10,100
  • Other - $4,204

Academics


Kansas State University is committed to creating a connected community of difference-makers, dream-chasers, and problem-solvers. Enrolling at the institution is an investment in the future that allows students to explore hundreds of programs, interest areas, and career paths. In fact, the school offers over 250 undergraduate programs and more than 165 graduate programs.

The university divides majors into the following interest areas to make it easier to find applicable degree programs:

  • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  • Architecture, Art, and Design
  • Aviation
  • Business
  • Communication, Media, and Marketing
  • Computer Science and Information Technology
  • Education and Leadership
  • Engineering and Construction
  • Government, Law, and Social Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Human and Social Services
  • Humanities Culture, and Society
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Visual and Performing Arts

As of fall 2020, Kansas State University had first-year undergraduate retention rate of 87% for full-time students and 43% for part-time students. The national average is 68%. This indicates that a large majority of students enrolled at the university were happy with their academic and extracurricular experiences and chose to return for a second year.

Of full-time, first-time students who began their studies in 2015, 68% graduated within 150% of normal time, which is six years. The transfer-out rate was 20%. Only 41% graduated within four years.

As a whole, Kansas State University has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1916. Additionally, many individual programs are accredited. Some examples of other accrediting bodies include the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, National Architectural Accrediting Board, National Association of Schools of Theatre, Council on Education for Public Health, and Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

Student Population Total


Student Population 20,229

Undergraduate
15,619
Graduate
4,610
Evening Classes : Yes
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Business Majors 739 Total Graduates / 20%
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 177 Graduates
Business Administration and Management, General 160 Graduates
Finance, General 105 Graduates
Accounting 99 Graduates
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields 507 Total Graduates / 14%
Animal Sciences, General 224 Graduates
Agricultural Business and Management, General 71 Graduates
Food Science 35 Graduates
Horticultural Science 35 Graduates
All Engineering Majors 501 Total Graduates / 13%
Mechanical Engineering 175 Graduates
Architectural Engineering 65 Graduates
Industrial Engineering 57 Graduates
Chemical Engineering 54 Graduates
All Biological & Biomedical Majors 287 Total Graduates / 8%
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 138 Graduates
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 77 Graduates
Microbiology, General 25 Graduates
Biochemistry 23 Graduates
All Education Majors 272 Total Graduates / 7%
Elementary Education and Teaching 149 Graduates
Secondary Education and Teaching 60 Graduates
Music Teacher Education 22 Graduates
Agricultural Teacher Education 19 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 38%

Outcome & Salary


Kansas State University has a 96% job placement rate for bachelor’s degree graduates and a 97% placement rate for master’s degree graduates. This information is collected directly from graduate survey respondents and indicate the number of exiting students who were employed or enrolled in further education within six months of graduation.

Many students utilize Kansas State University to prepare for further. The school’s rigorous curriculum often leads to high acceptance rates, especially in the fields of accounting, business administration, law, medicine, and veterinary medicine. The most common graduate schools accepting Kansas State University graduates are Kansas State University, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, and Washburn University.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $48,700
College Grads Average Salary $71,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $70,800
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $710,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,418,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $79,496
10 Year Projected ROI $630,504
20 Year Projected ROI $1,338,504
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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