University of Kansas vs Kansas State University

University of Kansas vs Kansas State University

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University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas, part of the Lawrence metropolitan area. Admissions are moderately selective, with KU’s acceptance rate around 88%. It is a large institution with about 19,800 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at KU include Psychology, Finance, Journalism, Marketing, Business, Accounting, Political Science, Exercise Science, Computer and Information Sciences, and Pharmacy. The six-year graduation rate is about 66%, and alumni report median earnings of approximately INR 52,60,000 or USD 61,950 a decade after graduation.

Kansas State University (K-State) is a public research university in Manhattan, Kansas, part of the Manhattan metropolitan area. Admissions are moderately competitive, with K-State’s acceptance rate around 79%. It is a medium-to-large institution with about 14,800 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at K-State include Business, Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Sciences, Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Education, Social Sciences, Health Professions, Computer and Information Sciences, and Psychology. The six-year graduation rate is about 66%, and alumni report median earnings of around INR 47,00,000 or USD 57,260 a decade after graduation.

Overview Comparison
University of KansasKansas State University
Collegedunia Score4.9 Out of 104.2 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 351 Times Higher Education 2026
# 465 QS World University 2026
# 226 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 901 QS World University 2026
# 526 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 120 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 50 for Law by US News 2025
# 111 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 701 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 801 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023
ProgramsUG Programs -143
PG Programs -55
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -64
PG Programs -38
Doctorate Programs -44
Acceptance Rate88.0 %80.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
TOEFL-80
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-79
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   27378
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  30720
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 23622 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   24870
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  19950
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 9980 Per Year
placement (average package)

The school of business has an avarage salary of $58,468. The average salary for Master of accounting graduates is $60, 969.  The average salary for business administration and management program graduates is $55,911. 


Some of the majors and the average salary are as follows:

  • Masters in Science : $92,000 
  • Bachelor of Science : $82,000 

application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit LORs

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

Submit official transcripts, Submit entrance exam scores, Submit LORs, Submit English language proficiency scores, Check program specific requirements

Campuses and B-SchoolsUniversity of Kansas Medical Center
NA
CollegeDunia Reviews7.6/10 Read 3 reviews7.8/10 Read 3 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 120 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 501 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025
# 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120GMAT - 550/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 58/90TOEFL - 79/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -30720Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -26270
application datesJan 8, 2024 (Application Deadline)
Dec 1, 2023 (Application Deadline For Summer 2024 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of KansasKansas State University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1866
1863
Student:Faculty Ratio17:1
18:1
Male:Female51% Male, 49% Female53% Male, 47% Female
Location Facts

University's main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. Two branch campuses are in the Kansas City metropolitan area on the Kansas side: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.


Kansas State University is a four-campus system. The main campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan now covers 668 acres (2.70 km2).  The other three campuses are at Olathe, Salina  and global. 


Library

The University of Kansas Libraries transform lives by inspiring the discovery and creation of knowledge for the university and the global community. There are various libraries like the main library, law library, medical library etc.


The K-State Salina Library is located within the Academic Success Center in the Technology Center building. Library Services and its staff are available to assist students with utilizing resources to conduct research for assignments, poster printing, standard printing, reserving books and movies and more!


Campus Life

The campus experience looks different for everyone. But the university provides all Jayhawks with the essentials: convenient amenities and resources committed to their health and well-being. Beyond the classroom, you’ll find countless opportunities to build leadership skills, broaden your interests, and deepen your connections across campus. University has 500+ student organizations which the students can join and more than 25 housing sites that provides residence facilities to the students on campus. Campus also provides various dining facilities to the students and various health and counselling services are also provided by the university.  The athletic team of the university competes in various leagues and in different sports like basketball, football, hockey etc. 


  • K-State has twelve residence halls on campus. Kansas State has more than 400 student organizations.
  • The Student Governing Association is the largest organization of student leaders, composed of elected and appointed officials.
  • The Student Governing Association follows the model of the U.S. government, with executive, legislative and judicial branches. 
  • The school's sports teams are called the Wildcats, and they participate in the NCAA Division I and the Big 12 Conference. 
  • The university is home to several museums, including the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, the KSU Historic Costume and Textiles Museum, the K-State Insect Zoo, and the Chang, Chapman, and Kemper galleries, which feature faculty and student artwork.
  • The university also offers an annual cycle of performance art at McCain Auditorium, including concerts, plays and dance. K-State is also known for several distinguished lecture series: Landon Lecture, Lou Douglas Lecture, Huck Boyd Lecture, and Dorothy L. Thompson Civil Rights Lectures.

Hostel#On campus - $10276
#Off campus (not with family) - $10276
#Off campus (with family) - $3070
#Double Room Per Semester - $2830
#Single Room Per Semester - $3325
#Double-as-Single Room Per Semester - $3825
Famous Alumni

Frank Rowland, awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Vernon Smith, awarded the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics
Juan Manuel Santos, Former President of Colombia, elected in 2010; Nobel Peace Prize winner (2016)

Gina Adams, textile artist and professor
Wendall Anschutz, bachelors and masters in communications, long time KCTV news anchor
Sanora Babb, novelist, best known for An Owl on Every Post and Whose Names Are Unknown


  • Richard Myers, Former general in USA air force
  • Pat Roberts, American politician
  • Ronaldo Blackman, professional basketball player
  • Jerry Wexler, music journalist
  • Kirstie Alley, Actress

City Life

The City of Lawrence is located in Essex County.  It is bordered on the north by the City of Methuen, on the west and southwest by the Town of Andover, and on the east and southeast by the Town of North Andover.   Incorporated as a city in 1853, Lawrence has a population of 76,377 (2010 U. S. Bureau of the Census) and occupies a land area of approximately 6.75 square miles.  The cities of Lawrence and Haverhill are the population centers of a Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) of approximately 230,000 persons.  Known as the "Immigrant City," Lawrence has always been a multi-ethnic and multicultural gateway city with a high percentage of foreign-born residents. Lawrence was originally planned and laid out as a commercial and industrial center and it maintains this character to the present day.  Today, Lawrence is a diversified industrial city.  Services are the primary economic pursuit followed by manufacturing. According to the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training's preliminary data, in May 2020, the City had a total estimated labor force of 38,795 


Manhattan is a town in Kansas with a population of 54,794. Manhattan is in Riley County and is one of the best places to live in Kansas. Living in Manhattan offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Manhattan there are a lot of bars and parks. Many young professionals live in Manhattan. The median rent is $932 per month. The median income in Manhattan, KS is $49,762.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Kansas versus Kansas State University

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Lawrence-based University of Kansas (KU) is most famous for its subject strengths in Pharmacy, Medicine, Law, Education, and Engineering. According to QS World University Rankings 2026, KU ranks between 410–430, whereas in THE World University Rankings 2025 it is within the 351–400 band. Kansas State University (K-State) in Manhattan, Kansas, has a particular strength in Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, and Business. K-State is ranked approximately 800–850 in QS 2026 and in the range 601–800 in THE 2025, placing KU in a more favorable international standing.

General Information

KU was established in 1865 and hosts around 29,000 students, being the Kansas flagship university. It provides the classic college-town experience with deep academic and athletic heritage. K-State, established in 1863, hosts around 20,000 students and is America's first land-grant university open for operation, focusing on agriculture, engineering, and applied sciences. KU enjoys a reputation for diversity in academic programs and research hospitals, whereas K-State has a strong focus on agriculture, veterinary medicine, and applied research.

Acceptance Rate & Admission

The acceptance rate of KU is approximately 92%, and it accepts students with mean GPAs of around 3.6 and SAT scores ranging from 1110–1320. K-State is as open, with an acceptance rate of approximately 95%, taking in students with mean GPAs of 3.5 and SAT scores ranging from 1080–1290. Both schools are widely accessible, although KU has slightly more academically inclined applicants because it is the flagship school.

Research Impact & Facilities

KU is an R1 research university that houses the KU Medical Center and is known for pharmacy, cancer treatment, educational, and engineering research. K-State is also an R1, known for the Biosecurity Research Institute, agriculture research, and food safety research, and veterinary medicine. Health sciences and public policy are strengths of KU, whereas agriculture, biosecurity, and veterinary research are strengths of K-State.

Cost & Financial Aid

KU costs approximately $11,200 per year for residents and $29,000 for out-of-state/international students. K-State costs a little less, approximately $10,500 for residents and $27,000 for out-of-state/international students. Both schools have extensive scholarship offerings, with KU having more available in the health sciences and professional schools and K-State offering strong assistance in agriculture and STEM fields.

Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes

KU alumni are highly represented in healthcare, education, business, law, and government and receive mid-career salaries of about $82,000 (INR 68 lakh). K-State alumni are highly represented in agriculture, engineering, veterinary medicine, and business and receive mid-career salaries of about $80,000 (INR 66 lakh). KU's alumni base is strongest in Kansas and nationally in healthcare and public service, and K-State alumni are strongly linked in agribusiness, engineering, and applied sciences fields.