K-State vs Arkansas State

Kansas State University and Arkansas State University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Kansas State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Arkansas State's 79% in Jonesboro, Arkansas. While Kansas State excels in agriculture, engineering, and business, Arkansas State shines in nursing, education, and business. Kansas State's student body is slightly larger, with over 22,000 students, while Arkansas State enrolls around 13,000. Both universities offer a vibrant campus life, with diverse student organizations and NCAA Division I sports teams. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key aspects of each university, including tuition, financial aid, graduation rates, and more. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Arkansas State University	Kansas State University
Overview
Location	Jonesboro, Arkansas	Manhattan, Kansas
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	75.0%	86.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.3%	95.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1030 - 1200	N/A
ACT range	20 - 26	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	89.0%
Total number of applicants	5,835	9,822
Total number of admissions given out	3,693	9,391
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,301	2,848
Yield rate	35.2%	30.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,703 Out of state: $29,271	In state: $23,866 Out of state: $39,937
Average net price	$13,560	$19,874
Tuition	In state: $5,232 Out of state: $10,800	In state: $9,489 Out of state: $25,560
Room & board	$9,640	Room/dormitory: $5,200 Meal plan: $4,900
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $11,264	88.0% Average amount $6,774
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $5,098	41.0% Average amount $5,095
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $9,249	5.0% Average amount $14,579

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,241 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%	15,619 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%
Graduate students	4,622 Men 29.6% Women 70.4%	4,610 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	13.4%	21.8%
International students	4.8%	5.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,200	5,696
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arkansas Missouri Tennessee Texas Florida	Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Communication and Journalism	Education Business Agriculture Engineering Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.8%	68.4%
Dropout rate	17.1%	9.3%
Transferred out	26.7%	20.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $118,704 Year 2: $135,614 Year 3: $142,090 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $68,394 Year 2: $68,422 Year 3: $72,609 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,156 Year 2: $58,142 Year 3: $63,281 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,331 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $63,119 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $58,131 Year 3: $62,428 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,829 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $61,766 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,334 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $61,498 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,368 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $59,662 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,639 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $59,484 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $55,539 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $59,037	Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,367 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $83,284 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,831 Year 2: $71,734 Year 3: $83,247 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,832 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $82,805 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,780 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $81,885 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $72,427 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $80,450 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,948 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,928 Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,390 Year 2: $65,557 Year 3: $75,955 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,670 Year 2: $65,131 Year 3: $73,437 Agricultural and Food Products Processing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,969 Year 2: $63,749 Year 3: $69,822 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,353 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $65,198

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Kansas State University (K-State) and Arkansas State University (A-State)?

Kansas State University (K-State) is a large, public research university located in Manhattan, Kansas, known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Arkansas State University (A-State), located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a mid-sized public university with a focus on liberal arts, business, and education. K-State generally has a higher academic reputation and a larger student body, while A-State offers a more personalized learning environment and a lower cost of attendance.
Which university is larger: Kansas State University or Arkansas State University?

Kansas State University is significantly larger than Arkansas State University. K-State typically has an undergraduate enrollment of around 20,000 students, while A-State's undergraduate enrollment is closer to 10,000.
How do the academic reputations of K-State and A-State compare?

Kansas State University generally holds a stronger academic reputation, particularly in STEM fields like agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Arkansas State University is well-regarded for its programs in education, business, and healthcare professions. While both are accredited institutions, K-State's research output and national rankings tend to be higher.
What are the tuition costs like at Kansas State University versus Arkansas State University?

Arkansas State University generally has a lower tuition cost than Kansas State University, especially for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition at K-State is also typically higher than at A-State. Be sure to check the most recent tuition rates on each university's website, as they are subject to change.
What types of programs are Kansas State University and Arkansas State University known for?

Kansas State University is renowned for its programs in agriculture, engineering (particularly mechanical and nuclear), architecture, and veterinary medicine. Arkansas State University is known for its programs in education, business administration, nursing, and communication disorders.
What is campus life like at K-State and A-State?

Kansas State University offers a vibrant campus life with a strong emphasis on school spirit and tradition, particularly surrounding athletics. There are numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities. Arkansas State University also has a welcoming campus environment with a focus on student involvement and community engagement. While A-State's athletic programs are growing, K-State's athletic programs have a longer history of success and larger fan base.
Where are Kansas State University and Arkansas State University located?

Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas, a college town in the Flint Hills region. Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a city in the northeastern part of the state.
What are the admission requirements for K-State and A-State?

Both universities require a high school diploma or equivalent and consider factors like GPA, standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), and extracurricular activities. K-State generally has slightly more competitive admission requirements than A-State. Check each university's admissions website for specific requirements and deadlines.
Do K-State and A-State offer online programs?

Yes, both Kansas State University and Arkansas State University offer a variety of online programs. K-State offers a wider range of online degree programs and courses, while A-State also provides online options, particularly in areas like business and education. Check each university's website for a complete list of online offerings.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at each university?

Both Kansas State University and Arkansas State University offer a range of financial aid options, including federal grants, loans, and scholarships. Each university also has its own institutional scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, and other criteria. It's best to visit the financial aid websites of both universities to explore the specific options available and application requirements.

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