Washington State University (WSU) vs K-State
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Pullman, Washington, and Manhattan, Kansas, home to Washington State University (WSU) and Kansas State University (KSU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and a rich history, they offer distinct experiences. WSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while KSU maintains a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore their contrasting popular majors, from WSU's strength in engineering and KSU's focus on agriculture, to uncover the ideal academic fit for your aspirations. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table to discover further distinctions, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique goals and preferences.
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![]() Kansas State University |
![]() Washington State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Manhattan, Kansas | Pullman, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
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% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.6% | 85.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 9,822 | 18,197 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,391 | 15,607 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,848 | 4,007 |
Yield rate | 30.3% | 25.7% |
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) | 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:
$28,767
Out of state:
$44,083
|
Average net price | $19,874 | $11,877 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,489
Out of state:
$25,560
|
In state:
$10,457
Out of state:
$25,773
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,200
Meal plan:
$4,900
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Room/dormitory:
$7,400
Meal plan:
$4,350
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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 $9,993 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,095 |
27.0%
Average amount $5,042 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,579 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,454 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
24,278
Men 45.9% Women 54.1% |
Graduate students |
4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
5,565
Men 44.7% Women 55.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 21.8% | 15.2% |
International students | 5.4% | 5.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 5,696 | 7,043 |
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 | Washington California Oregon Idaho Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.4% | 59.5% |
Dropout rate | 9.3% | 38.1% |
Transferred out | 20.4% | N/A |
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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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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