Emporia State University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Kansas- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,601 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $16,261 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Kansas.
Every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,058,111.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Emporia State University Matters
Emporia State University is a public university in Emporia, KS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,239
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Emporia State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,261 a year after grants and scholarships — 5% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,601 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Emporia State University has an acceptance rate of 98%, making it accessible for a wide range of students. This high rate indicates that the university is open to admitting most applicants, which can be appealing for those looking for a welcoming environment to pursue higher education.
The earnings data shows that graduates from Emporia State University earn an average of $47,601 ten years after graduation. While the graduation rate sits at 55%, the economic mobility for students is not clearly defined. This suggests that while many students do graduate, understanding the long-term outcomes for all demographics within the student body requires further exploration.
Attending Emporia State University costs an average net price of $16,261, with a median student debt of $19,500 upon graduation. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Education, Business, Health Professions, Humanities, or Psychology. This diversity in programs reflects the university’s commitment to serving a range of academic interests and career paths.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Emporia State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Emporia State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Emporia State University, located in Emporia, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1120
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 91%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,918
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 1,846
- Admitted
- 1,766
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Emporia State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Emporia State University is $15,419, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,261. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,452 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,106
- Out-of-State
- $15,419
- Avg Net Price
- $16,261
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 59%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,452
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,905
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,229
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,531
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Emporia State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Emporia State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,601, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,389
- 8 Years
- $44,930
- 10 Years
- $47,601
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (194)
- 27%
- 100% (194)
- 27%
- 100% (194)
- 27%
- 100% (194)
- 27%
How Emporia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Emporia State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Emporia State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,261/year ($65,044 total). Graduates earn $47,601 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,123,155 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,058,111 (17.3× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $65,044
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,123,155
- Net Return
- $1,058,111
- ROI Multiple
- 17.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,261
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Emporia State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Emporia State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.73%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,828
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,754,394
- Investment Income
- $51,614
Top Programs
The fields Emporia State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Education 26% $45,028 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20% $50,183 early-career
- Health Professions 16% $62,904 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $36,562 early-career
- Humanities 6% $26,879 early-career
- Psychology 6% $39,121 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $28,834 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $70,680 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Emporia State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Emporia State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Emporia State University, located in Emporia, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Emporia State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Emporia State University is $15,419, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,261. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,452 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Emporia State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,601, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Emporia State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Emporia State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Emporia State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Emporia State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Emporia State University.
- Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO · Close peer51% grad $46,833 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · Close peer40% grad $46,674 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Mercyhurst UniversityErie, PA · Close peer59% grad $47,452 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Close peer50% grad $50,970 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · Close peer51% grad $47,618 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Emporia State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Emporia State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note