Kansas State University vs University of Kansas

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CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Kansas State University (K-State)

K-State Overview

Kansas State University, also known as K-State, is a public research university located in Manhattan, Kansas. Established in 1863, K-State is the oldest public university in the state and is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and business. With a student population of around 22,000, K-State offers a diverse range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to explore.

K-State Costs & Tuition

Tuition at K-State varies depending on whether a student is in-state or out-of-state. In-state undergraduate students can expect to pay around $10,440 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students will pay around $26,316. Room and board costs are estimated at $8,910 and $5,126, respectively, while miscellaneous fees average around $1,000.

K-State Admissions

Admission to K-State is considered moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 93%. Applicants are required to submit high school transcripts, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and an application fee of $40. The average incoming freshman has an ACT score between 21 and 27 and a high school GPA between 3.40 and 3.75.

K-State Degrees Offered

Kansas State University offers over 250 undergraduate majors and programs, as well as numerous graduate and professional degrees. Some of the university’s most popular programs include business, engineering, agriculture, education, and human ecology.

K-State Academics

K-State is known for its commitment to academic excellence and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. Approximately 63% of the university’s classes have fewer than 30 students, and the faculty is composed of highly qualified professors who are dedicated to student success.

K-State Diversity

K-State is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. The university’s student population is composed of around 74% Caucasian, 7% Hispanic, 4% African American, 3% Asian, and 2% multiracial students. Additionally, International students make up around 7% of the student population.

K-State Students

Students at Kansas State University are known for their strong sense of community and school spirit. With over 475 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved on campus, including clubs, sports, Greek life, and volunteer organizations.

K-State Campus

K-State’s beautiful campus spans over 2,320 acres and features a mix of historic and modern architecture. The campus is home to numerous research facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, and recreational facilities designed to provide students with a well-rounded college experience.

K-State Alumni

Notable K-State alumni include several politicians, professional athletes, and successful business leaders. Some notable graduates include former US Senator Nancy Kassebaum, NFL player Jordy Nelson, and Garmin co-founder Gary Burrell.

K-State Rankings

Kansas State University is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to the U.S. News & World Report, K-State ranks #170 among National Universities and #88 among Top Public Schools.

K-State Outcomes

Approximately 65% of K-State students graduate within six years, and the university boasts an employment rate of 91% within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for K-State graduates is around $43,000.

University of Kansas (KU)

KU Overview

The University of Kansas is a public research university located in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 1865, KU is known for its strong programs in law, journalism, and education. With a student population of nearly 28,000, the university offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students.

KU Costs & Tuition

Tuition at KU varies depending on whether a student is in-state or out-of-state. In-state undergraduate students can expect to pay around $11,148 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students will pay around $29,038. Room and board costs are estimated at $9,420 and $5,266, respectively, while miscellaneous fees average around $1,250.

KU Admissions

Admission to KU is considered moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 92%. Applicants are required to submit high school transcripts, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and an application fee of $40. The average incoming freshman has an ACT score between 22 and 28 and a high school GPA between 3.40 and 3.80.

KU Degrees Offered

The University of Kansas offers over 200 undergraduate majors and programs, as well as numerous graduate and professional degrees. Some of the university’s most popular programs include business, engineering, journalism, education, and social sciences.

KU Academics

KU is known for its commitment to academic excellence and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. Nearly 50% of the university’s classes have fewer than 20 students, and the faculty is composed of highly qualified professors who are dedicated to student success.

KU Diversity

KU is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. The university’s student population is composed of around 68% Caucasian, 9% Hispanic, 5% African American, 4% Asian, and 2% multiracial students. Additionally, international students make up around 5% of the student population.

KU Students

Students at the University of Kansas are known for their strong sense of community and school spirit. With over 600 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved on campus, including clubs, sports, Greek life, and volunteer organizations.

KU Campus

KU’s picturesque campus covers over 1,000 acres and features a mix of historic and modern architecture. The campus is home to numerous research facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, and recreational facilities designed to provide students with a well-rounded college experience.

KU Alumni

Notable KU alumni include several politicians, journalists, and successful business leaders. Some notable graduates include journalist Bill James, former US Senator Bob Dole, and Google Earth co-founder Brian McClendon.

KU Rankings

The University of Kansas is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to the U.S. News & World Report, KU ranks #134 among National Universities and #61 among Top Public Schools.

KU Outcomes

Approximately 61% of KU students graduate within six years, and the university boasts an employment rate of 86% within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for KU graduates is around $45,000.

K-State vs. KU Cost Comparison

When comparing the costs of attending K-State and KU, it’s important to consider both tuition and additional expenses, such as room, board, and fees. For in-state students, K-State’s tuition is slightly lower at $10,440 compared to KU’s $11,148. However, for out-of-state students, KU’s tuition is more expensive at $29,038 compared to K-State’s $26,316. Room and board expenses are fairly similar between the two universities, with only a few hundred dollars difference. Although K-State may be slightly more affordable for in-state students, both schools offer competitive pricing for a high-quality education.

K-State vs. KU Admissions Difficulty

Both K-State and KU have similar acceptance rates, with K-State at 93% and KU at 92%. This indicates that both schools are moderately selective but remain accessible to a wide range of students. While KU has slightly higher average ACT scores and high school GPAs for incoming freshmen, the difference is not substantial. Overall, the admissions processes at both universities are fairly comparable in terms of difficulty.

K-State vs. KU Academic Difficulty

When comparing academic rigor at K-State and KU, it’s important to consider factors such as class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, and the quality of faculty. Both universities have similar student-to-faculty ratios, with K-State at 18:1 and KU at 17:1. Additionally, both schools have a majority of their classes with fewer than 30 students, making it easier for students to engage closely with professors and receive individualized attention.

While both universities offer strong academic programs, KU may have a slight edge in terms of overall difficulty, especially when considering its nationally recognized law, journalism, and education programs. However, K-State also offers competitive programs in agriculture, engineering, and business, making it an excellent choice for students interested in these fields.

K-State vs. KU Outcome Comparison

In terms of outcomes, K-State and KU have similar graduation rates, with K-State at 65% and KU at 61%. Both universities also have strong employment rates following graduation, with K-State at 91% and KU at 86%. However, KU graduates have a slightly higher average starting salary at $45,000 compared to K-State’s $43,000.

Ultimately, the choice between K-State and KU will depend on factors such as academic interests, campus environment, and financial considerations. Both universities offer strong academic programs, vibrant campus communities, and the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience.