K-State vs CSU-FC

Kansas State University and Colorado State University-Fort Collins, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Kansas State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Colorado State's 79%. With a larger student body, Kansas State offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like engineering, agriculture, and business. Colorado State, situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, excels in fields such as veterinary medicine, atmospheric science, and natural resources. While Kansas State has a slightly higher graduation rate (68% vs. 66%), both universities provide ample opportunities for students to succeed. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Kansas State University
Overview
Location	Fort Collins, Colorado	Manhattan, Kansas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	86.0%	86.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.6%	95.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1080 - 1290	N/A
ACT range	23 - 29	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	38.0%
Students submitting ACT score	17.0%
Total number of applicants	31,586	9,822
Total number of admissions given out	28,314	9,391
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,197	2,848
Yield rate	18.4%	30.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	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: $27,174 Out of state: $46,456	In state: $23,866 Out of state: $39,937
Average net price	$18,320	$19,874
Tuition	In state: $9,709 Out of state: $28,991	In state: $9,489 Out of state: $25,560
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,186 Meal plan: $6,830	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)	70.0% Average amount $10,034	88.0% Average amount $6,774
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,018	41.0% Average amount $5,095
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,976	5.0% Average amount $14,579

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,954 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	15,619 Men 50.3% Women 49.7%
Graduate students	7,632 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	4,610 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	34.3%	21.8%
International students	4.8%	5.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	8,300	5,696
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington	Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Agriculture Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Education Business Agriculture Engineering Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.1%	68.4%
Dropout rate	18.5%	9.3%
Transferred out	10.4%	20.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,915 Year 3: $106,015 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,613 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,379 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $93,827 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,747 Year 2: $80,301 Year 3: $92,215 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $89,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,253 Year 2: $73,070 Year 3: $88,889 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,603 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $88,546 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,387 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $86,814 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,629 Year 2: $71,778 Year 3: $83,089 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,849 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $80,723	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 Colorado State University (CSU)?

K-State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, is a land-grant university known for its strong agricultural programs and a close-knit community feel. CSU, situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, is also a land-grant university but boasts a stronger focus on environmental sciences, natural resources, and veterinary medicine, benefiting from its location near the Rocky Mountains. CSU generally has a higher cost of attendance and a slightly more selective admissions process than K-State.
Which university is better for agricultural studies: K-State or CSU?

Both K-State and CSU have excellent agricultural programs. However, K-State is often considered to have a slight edge due to its historical strength and extensive resources dedicated to agriculture, particularly in areas like grain science and milling. CSU also has strong agricultural programs, especially related to range management and animal sciences relevant to the western United States.
How do the locations of K-State and CSU differ, and how might that impact my college experience?

K-State is located in Manhattan, Kansas, a smaller college town with a strong sense of community. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural. CSU is in Fort Collins, Colorado, a larger city near the Rocky Mountains, offering more outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Fort Collins also has a more vibrant arts and culture scene compared to Manhattan.
What are the tuition and fees like at K-State compared to CSU?

Generally, K-State has a lower cost of attendance than CSU, especially for out-of-state students. While tuition and fees can change, you can typically expect to pay less at K-State. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and consider factors like room and board, books, and personal expenses when comparing the overall cost.
How do the student populations and campus cultures compare?

K-State tends to have a more traditional, Midwestern feel with a strong emphasis on school spirit and traditions. The student body is primarily from Kansas and surrounding states. CSU has a more diverse student body, drawing students from across the country and internationally, and the campus culture is influenced by its proximity to the mountains and a focus on sustainability and outdoor activities.
Which university is stronger in engineering programs?

Both K-State and CSU offer a range of engineering programs. CSU has a strong reputation in civil and environmental engineering, while K-State is well-regarded for its mechanical and electrical engineering programs. Consider the specific engineering discipline you're interested in when making your decision and research the faculty and resources available at each university.
What are the research opportunities like at K-State and CSU?

Both K-State and CSU are research universities with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. CSU has a strong research focus on areas like infectious diseases, atmospheric science, and clean energy. K-State's research strengths include food safety, biosecurity, and plant science. Look into the specific research areas that align with your interests at each university.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both K-State and CSU offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. CSU benefits from its location near Denver, providing access to a wider range of internship and job opportunities in various industries. K-State has strong connections with agricultural companies and government agencies in the Midwest.
What is the acceptance rate at K-State versus CSU?

K-State generally has a higher acceptance rate than CSU, making it somewhat easier to get into. CSU is more selective, reflecting its higher demand and reputation in certain fields. Check the latest acceptance rates on the universities' websites for the most current information.
Which university is better for veterinary medicine?

CSU is widely recognized as having one of the top veterinary medicine programs in the nation. While K-State also has a good veterinary medicine program, CSU's program is generally considered more prestigious and offers more specialized research opportunities.

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