University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs K-State
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Manhattan, Kansas, home to the esteemed University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) and Kansas State University (KSU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique identities. UMass, with its acceptance rate of 69%, welcomes a diverse student body, while KSU's acceptance rate of 84% reflects its commitment to accessibility. Explore the nuances of each institution, from their popular majors in engineering, business, and agriculture to their vibrant student life and supportive academic environments. Delve into the comparison table to uncover the details that will guide your decision toward the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Kansas State University |
![]() University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
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Overview |
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Location | Manhattan, Kansas | Amherst, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
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% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.6% | 65.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | N/A | 1250 - 1460 |
ACT range | N/A | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,822 | 42,540 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,391 | 27,877 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,848 | 4,872 |
Yield rate | 30.3% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,866
Out of state:
$39,937
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In state:
$32,434
Out of state:
$52,959
|
Average net price | $19,874 | $17,291 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,489
Out of state:
$25,560
|
In state:
$15,791
Out of state:
$36,316
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,200
Meal plan:
$4,900
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Room/dormitory:
$7,611
Meal plan:
$5,984
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
88.0%
Average amount $6,774 |
86.0%
Average amount $10,662 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,095 |
39.0%
Average amount $5,123 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,579 |
7.0%
Average amount $15,924 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
Graduate students |
4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 21.8% | N/A |
International students | 5.4% | 11.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,696 | 13,582 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado | New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.4% | 83.7% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 5.1% |
Transferred out | 20.4% | 10.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Agricultural and Food Products Processing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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