Emporia State University
Emporia State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Emporia State University at a Glance
Emporia State University is a public university in Emporia, Kansas, United States. Established in March 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School, Emporia State is the third-oldest public university in the state of Kansas. Emporia State is one of six public universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.
1863
163 years old
$101M
$100.7 million (2021)
4,557
237
234 acres
Identity
Is Emporia State University Worth It?
Emporia State University offers moderate value at $16,261/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,601, which is 12% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Emporia State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #51 of 116 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #51 | Emporia State University | 40 | $16,261 | $47,601 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Emporia State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in KS.
Best Programs at Emporia State University
The highest-earning program at Emporia State University is Information Science/Studies at $57,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $20,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Information Science/Studies graduate from Emporia State University earns $57,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $20,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Information Science/Studies graduates carry $22,811 in median debt vs. $30,090 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,261/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $57,600 | $57,600 | $22,811 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $50,200 | $50,200 | $22,418 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,800 | $42,800 | $17,739 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,600 | $39,600 | $20,059 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,800 | $36,800 | $19,375 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,400 | $34,400 | $22,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,500 | $31,500 | $22,749 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,100 | $30,100 | $18,117 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,800 | $29,800 | $20,571 |
| Biology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $13,511 |
| Public Health | $26,100 | $26,100 | $19,668 |
| Sociology | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $22,372 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,100 | $20,100 | $30,090 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Emporia, KS
- Student Body
- 2,239 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,261
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,601
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500