University of Kansas vs. Kansas State University
A side-by-side comparison of Kansas and Kansas State — acceptance rates (92.6% vs. 87%), SAT scores (1080–1280 vs. 1040–1260), tuition, financial aid, and majors, drawn from each school's official Common Data Set.
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Acceptance rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly admissions
Kansas does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized tests
Kansas is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class rank
Where Kansas's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 53% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Kansas does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions factors
How Kansas weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Kansas's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Acceptance rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly admissions
Kansas State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized tests
Kansas State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class rank
Where Kansas State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 64% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Kansas State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions factors
How Kansas State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Kansas State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
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Kansas vs. Kansas State: frequently asked questions
Kansas State is more selective: it admits about 87% of applicants, compared with 92.6% at Kansas. Both are competitive, and your odds depend on far more than the overall rate.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1080–1280 at Kansas and 1040–1260 at Kansas State on the SAT. Treat the ranges as a benchmark — a score inside or above a school's range keeps you competitive there.
Kansas State has the lower published price for out-of-state students — $29,533 in tuition and fees versus $31,332 at Kansas, a gap of about $1,799 a year before financial aid.
Kansas State graduates a higher share of its students within six years — 71% versus 70% at Kansas.
Kansas State, and only there. Kansas State's Common Data Set rates the application essay considered, while Kansas reports that it does not consider the essay at all — so an application there rests on grades, course rigor, and test scores.
Source: University of Kansas Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. First-Years On Campus, % in Fraternities, and % in Sororities are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Kansas. Banner photo by Gen. Quon, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).
Source: Kansas State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Kansas State. Banner photo by J. Corbett, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).