Acceptance Rate
82%
Avg. SAT
1260
75th percentile
“Land-grant trailblazer in the Flint Hills blending agriculture, aviation, and grain science with Wildcat spirit.”
Manhattan, KS
Location
Kansas State University traces its roots to 1863, when it opened as a land-grant institution focused on agriculture and mechanical arts just after Kansas gained statehood. Students who thrive here tend to be practical-minded, hardworking types drawn to hands-on fields like farming, engineering, or veterinary medicine, rather than those chasing urban prestige or theoretical pursuits. The campus exudes a friendly, unpretentious personality rooted in Midwestern values, where purple pride unites everyone from future vets to journalists. Manhattan, a compact college town dubbed the Little Apple, offers a low cost of living and rolling prairie views, but its rural isolation means you'll drive hours for big-city amenities. Tradeoffs include extreme weather—scorching summers and icy winters—that shapes daily life more than at coastal schools.
Photo Gallery
+9
+1
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
K-State shines in agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, journalism, and niche areas like grain science and baking science, where you'll dissect wheat kernels or pilot planes as part of your coursework. Classrooms mix large introductory lectures with smaller upper-level seminars, and motivated undergrads can join faculty-led research in labs tackling crop diseases or food tech. The intellectual vibe rewards collaboration over cutthroat competition, though popular majors like engineering fill up quickly for direct admits. You'll encounter practical teaching that emphasizes real-world application, preparing you for jobs in agribusiness or aviation right away.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
15,650 undergrad • 4,645 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
76%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with Big 12 sports fervor, especially football tailgates and basketball games at Bramlage Coliseum, alongside traditions like illuminating the giant purple K on K-Hill after wins. A typical week blends classes, club meetings from the 475 organizations, and evenings in Aggieville's lively bars and pizza joints. Greek life draws about 20 percent of students, fostering close-knit groups, while residence halls house most freshmen in lively setups like the honors floors. The social scene feels approachable and low-pressure, but the small-town setting limits nightlife variety, and harsh weather can confine you indoors during blizzards or heat waves.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big 12 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
86%
4 Years Graduation Rate
45%
6 Years Graduation Rate
67%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$57,262
86% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Kansas State University and return in the fall. 45% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 67% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
45%
4-5 years
22%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
32%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$9,489
Acceptance
82%
Undergrads
15,650
4-Year Grad Rate
45%
Endowment
$952M
Manhattan, KS 66506
Explore More