Kansas State University
Kansas State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Kansas State University at a Glance
Kansas State University is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.
1863
163 years old
$902M
$902.2 million ( FY 2025)
21,213
16,555 undergrad · 4,658 grad
1,247
668 acres
Identity
Is Kansas State University Worth It?
Kansas State University offers moderate value at $19,406/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,262, which is near the national average. 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.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Kansas State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #43 of 100 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 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #43 | Kansas State University | 52 | $19,406 | $57,262 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kansas 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 Kansas State University
The highest-earning program at Kansas State University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services at $24,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Kansas State University earns $68,700, while a Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services graduate earns $24,800. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $23,494 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,406/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,700 | $68,700 | $23,494 |
| Chemical Engineering | $67,900 | $67,900 | $24,951 |
| Architectural Engineering | $66,700 | $66,700 | $24,060 |
| Agricultural and Food Products Processing | $64,400 | $64,400 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,300 | $63,300 | $24,375 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $62,700 | $62,700 | $29,500 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $55,800 | $55,800 | $28,437 |
| Food Science and Technology | $55,300 | $55,300 | $26,187 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,200 | $55,200 | $24,082 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $51,700 | $51,700 | $20,835 |
| Air Transportation | $49,600 | $49,600 | $24,436 |
| Architecture | $48,500 | $48,500 | $18,162 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,700 | $45,700 | $22,000 |
| Marketing | $43,600 | $43,600 | $21,073 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $42,800 | $42,800 | $22,217 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,300 | $42,300 | $23,184 |
| Plant Sciences | $41,000 | $41,000 | $19,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,300 | $38,300 | $28,334 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $37,100 | $37,100 | $24,165 |
| Social Work | $36,900 | $36,900 | $24,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,500 | $36,500 | $24,195 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,300 | $34,300 | $22,772 |
| Animal Sciences | $32,800 | $32,800 | $23,000 |
| Sociology | $32,700 | $32,700 | $22,875 |
| Journalism | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,250 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,700 | $30,700 | $23,874 |
| Social Sciences, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $25,500 |
| Biology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $21,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $20,677 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,600 | $25,600 | $21,485 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $24,800 | $24,800 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Manhattan, KS
- Student Body
- 15,142 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,406
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,262
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250