Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas · Public · 15,142 undergraduates · k-state.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
88%
of 15,591 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1040 to 1260
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$28,910Est.Estimate
$48,220 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Kansas State University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
88% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored, and your GPA is in the middle half of freshmen's.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$48,220
a year in 2027-28, from a $48,220 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1140
Send your score
About 31% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 970, and yours is above it.
Named scholarships you may qualify for (1)
Heritage Scholarship for non-Kansas residents
$11,000 a year
You meet 3.00+ GPA. Also needs other requirements.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- If your GPA is below 3.3, you must send a score.
- Superscores: it combines your best section scores from different test dates.
- Assured admission with EITHER a 3.25+ cumulative high school GPA OR ACT composite 21 / SAT ERW+M 1060; GED/HiSET pathways exist
Source: Tests and recommended pre-college curriculum for incoming freshmen · Checked October 16, 2026
Application deadlines
- Dec1Priority deadline · December 1, 2026Apply by this date for the best chance at admission and scholarships.
Who gets in
88%
of applicants were admitted: 13,642 of 15,591 for fall 2025.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2025)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 7% of them sent SAT scores and 80% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 1040 to 1260
Reading and Writing 520 to 660
Math 500 to 650
ACT composite 20 to 27
How enrolled freshmen scored on the SAT
- 1400 to 16005.1%
- 1200 to 139933%
- 1000 to 119944%
- 800 to 99916%
- 600 to 7991.2%
- 400 to 5990.4%
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.86
- 4.013%
- 3.75 to 3.9939%
- 3.50 to 3.7421%
- 3.25 to 3.4913%
- 3.00 to 3.247%
- 2.50 to 2.996%
- Below 2.501%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$28,910
a year, in state
$48,220
a year, out of state (tuition $30,530)
- Tuition (in state)$11,220
- Fees$1,040
- Food and housing$12,200
- Books and supplies$1,120
- Transportation and other$3,330
Kansas State University published $27,305 in state for 2025-26. Its 2027-28 prices aren't out yet.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$12,650
- $30,001 to $48,000$11,613
- $48,001 to $75,000$13,499
- $75,001 to $110,000$19,307
- Over $110,000$23,192
Financial aid
79%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$8,106
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
41%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $4,455 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
- Aid priority date: December 1st
- Send your aid forms by this date to be first in line for the college's grant money.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Heritage Scholarship for non-Kansas residents
$11,000 a year
Automatic · Out-of-state students · No separate application
- 3.00+ GPA, A parent or grandparent graduated from K-State
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, and meet the college's general renewal requirements.
DetailsUniversity Scholar Award
$5,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.95+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.95+ GPA, 1260 to 1300 SAT or 27 to 28 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date; ACT/SAT and 7th-semester transcript upgrades by April 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, stay a full-time student every fall and spring semester, and pass at least 24 credit hours at the college each academic year (fall and spring).
DetailsRoyal Purple Scholarship
$4,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.95+ GPA, 1200 to 1230 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.95+ GPA, 1130 to 1160 SAT or 23 to 24 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.95+ GPA, 1060 to 1100 SAT or 21 to 22 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, 1260 to 1300 SAT or 27 to 28 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, 1200 to 1230 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, 1130 to 1160 SAT or 23 to 24 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date; ACT/SAT and 7th-semester transcript upgrades by April 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, stay a full-time student every fall and spring semester, and pass at least 24 credit hours at the college each academic year (fall and spring).
DetailsWildcat Traditions Scholarship
$3,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.95+ GPA, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted; column is <=20 ACT / <=1030 SAT or no test score
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, 1060 to 1100 SAT or 21 to 22 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, 1260 to 1300 SAT or 27 to 28 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, 1200 to 1230 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, 1130 to 1160 SAT or 23 to 24 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, 1060 to 1100 SAT or 21 to 22 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date; ACT/SAT and 7th-semester transcript upgrades by April 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, stay a full-time student every fall and spring semester, and pass at least 24 credit hours at the college each academic year (fall and spring).
Details
Show 10 more scholarships
Limestone Award
$2,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.85 to 3.94 GPA, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted; column is <=20 ACT / <=1030 SAT or no test score
- 3.70 to 3.84 GPA, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted; column is <=20 ACT / <=1030 SAT or no test score
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, 1260 to 1300 SAT or 27 to 28 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, 1200 to 1230 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, 1130 to 1160 SAT or 23 to 24 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, 1060 to 1100 SAT or 21 to 22 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, 1260 to 1300 SAT or 27 to 28 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date; ACT/SAT and 7th-semester transcript upgrades by April 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, stay a full-time student every fall and spring semester, and pass at least 24 credit hours at the college each academic year (fall and spring).
Details1863 Landmark Award
$1,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.50 to 3.69 GPA, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted; column is <=20 ACT / <=1030 SAT or no test score
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, 1200 to 1230 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, 1130 to 1160 SAT or 23 to 24 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, 1060 to 1100 SAT or 21 to 22 ACT, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted
- 3.25 to 3.49 GPA, Best cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted; column is <=20 ACT / <=1030 SAT or no test score
Deadline: Dec 1 priority date; ACT/SAT and 7th-semester transcript upgrades by April 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, stay a full-time student every fall and spring semester, and pass at least 24 credit hours at the college each academic year (fall and spring).
DetailsPresidential Scholarship
$80,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it renews for up to 4 years total.
DetailsVanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Scholarship
$80,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it renews for up to 4 years total.
DetailsEdgerley-Franklin Leadership Scholarship
$20,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it renews for up to 4 years total.
DetailsRobert E. Campbell Scholarship - Engineering Scholar
$10,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it renews for up to 4 years total.
DetailsRobert E. Campbell Scholarship
$6,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it renews for up to 4 years total.
DetailsNancy Landon Kassebaum Scholarship
$5,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it's a one-time award and doesn't renew.
DetailsCivic Leadership Scholarship
$2,000 to $4,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: December 15, 2026. To keep it: it's a one-time award and doesn't renew.
DetailsNational Merit Kansas State University Scholarship (NMSC college-sponsored)
National Merit
Deadline: Name this college your first choice with NMSC.
Details
Kansas programs for residents
Kansas State Scholarship (State Scholar designation)
$1,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA, Designated Kansas State Scholar; Complete Kansas Scholars Curriculum; take ACT by December of senior year; designation by KBOR index; financial need (FAFSA + State of Kansas Student Aid Application by July 1)
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
43 of 43
Earn credit with a score of 3
39 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,120Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 180 Art & Design: Color Light and Perception Lab |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 200 Art & Design: Visual Representation and Fabrication |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | AMTH 351 African American Perspectives |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | Art Elective - ART-1 |
| Art History | 4 | 6 | ART 195 AND ART 196 Survey of Art History I and II |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIOL 198 Principles of Biology |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MATH 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MATH 220 AND MATH 221 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I and II |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 3 | 4 | MATH 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHM 210 Chemistry I |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | CHM 210 AND CHM 230 Chemistry I and II |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 5 | CHINE 201 Chinese III |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 5 | 5 | CHINE 301 Chinese IV |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POLSC 135 Introduction to Comparative Politics |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CIS 200 Programming Fundamentals |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CYBR 103 Computing Principles |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 291 Intro to Drawing |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 100 Expository Writing I |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 200 Expository Writing II |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | BIOL 263 Ecology of Environmental Problems |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIST 101 OR HIST 102 Western Civilization Rise of Europe OR Modern Era |
| European History | 4 | 6 | HIST 101 AND HIST 102 Western Civilization Rise of Europe AND Modern Era |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 5 | FREN 201 French III |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 4 | FREN 301 French IV |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 5 | GRMN 201 German III |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 4 | GRMN 301 German IV |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEOG 200 Human Geography |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | ITAL 300 Italian III |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 4 | ITAL 301 Italian IV |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 5 | JAPAN 201 Japanese III |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 5 | JAPAN 301 Japanese IV |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | LATIN 301 Intermediate Latin - Prose |
| Latin | 4 | 3 | LATIN 302 Intermediate Latin - Poetry |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 120 Principles of Microeconomics |
| Music Aural Subscore | 3 | 3 | MUSIC 100-level elective |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 3 | 3 | MUSIC 100-level elective |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUSIC 210 Music Theory I |
| Music Theory | 5 | 4 | MUSIC 230 Music Theory II AND MUSIC 231 Aural Skills I |
| Physics 1 | 4 | 4 | PHYS 113 General Physics I |
| Physics 2 | 4 | 4 | PHYS 114 General Physics II |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | 5 | PHYS 214 Engineering Physics II OR PHYS 224 Physics II, Electromagnetism and Sound |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 5 | PHYS 213 Engineering Physics I OR PHYS 223 Physics 1, Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 3 | MATH 100 College Algebra |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSYCH 110 General Psychology |
| Research | 3 | 3 | General Elective 100-level credit |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | ENGL 200 Expository Writing II |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPAN 201 Spanish III |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPAN 301 Spanish IV |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPAN 410 Spanish Composition and Grammar |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPAN 550 Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | STAT 225 Introduction to Statistics OR STAT 240 Biometrics I OR STAT 250 Business and Economic Statistics I |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POLSC 115 U.S. Politics |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | HIST 151 OR HIST 152 History of the U.S. to 1877 OR since 1877 |
| United States History | 4 | 6 | HIST 151 AND HIST 152 U.S. History to 1877 AND Since 1877 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | HIST 112 World History from 1450 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
71%
Come back for a second year
86%
Typical earnings
$61,473
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Kansas State University$47,962
- All colleges$48,512
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 58 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Kansas State University. The Kansas State University logo is a trademark of the college.