Kansas State University

No. Kansas State is an accessible land-grant flagship, admitting about 87% of applicants in its most recent cycle, roughly 13,640 admits from 15,590 applications. Academic GPA is the one factor K-State rates as very important, and enrolled first-years average a 3.86 high school GPA. Selective programs such as engineering and the veterinary track set higher internal bars than the headline rate.

Strong grades are the most important part of a K-State application. Enrolled first-years average a 3.86 high school GPA, and academic GPA is the single factor the university rates as very important in its review. There is no published hard cutoff for the general applicant pool, but a record well into the B+/A- range puts you in line with the typical admitted student.

Kansas residents are admitted at a slightly higher rate than non-residents. For Fall 2025, K-State admitted about 94% of in-state applicants and 92% of out-of-state applicants, while international applicants were admitted at roughly 33%. Out-of-state domestic students make up a meaningful share of the class, so the door is wide open regardless of where you live.

No. K-State is test-optional, and scores are considered only if you submit them. Most applicants who test take the ACT: about 80% of enrolled first-years submitted an ACT versus 7% who submitted an SAT. The middle 50% scored 20–27 on the ACT and 1040–1260 on the SAT.

Yes. A 24 sits right at the median ACT of 24 for enrolled first-years and inside the middle-50% range of 20–27. Because K-State is test-optional and admits most applicants, a 24 comfortably clears the typical profile and strengthens your file, especially paired with a solid GPA.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $11,579 for Kansas residents and $29,533 for out-of-state students. Around 47% of first-years receive financial aid, with an average package near $18,226, and K-State meets roughly 79% of demonstrated need on average. The university also awards renewable merit scholarships to resident and non-resident freshmen.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 22% of bachelor's degrees, followed by agriculture at roughly 13% and engineering at about 11%. As a land-grant university, K-State is especially known for agriculture, veterinary medicine, and architecture, and the life sciences and education round out its most-conferred areas.

Only somewhat. K-State lists the application essay as a factor it considers, below academic GPA and test scores in its review. The essay carries less weight here than at highly selective schools, but a clear, specific personal statement can still help borderline applicants and matters for competitive scholarships and the honors program.