K-State vs. Stephens College

Deciding between Kansas State University and Stephens College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Kansas State University
Stephens College

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • K-State Manhattan, KS
  • Stephens College Columbia, MO
  • Setting
  • K-State Remote Town
  • Stephens College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • K-State 20,295
  • Stephens College 568
  • Type
  • K-State Public 4 Year
  • Stephens College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • K-State #510
  • Stephens College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • K-State -
  • Stephens College -
  • Status
  • K-State Non-profit
  • Stephens College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • K-State
  • Stephens College

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • K-State $11,221
  • Stephens College $28,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • K-State $28,568
  • Stephens College $28,300
  • Room & Board
  • K-State $12,830
  • Stephens College $13,366
  • Average Net Price
  • K-State $20,527
  • Stephens College $23,194
  • Average Grant Aid
  • K-State $9,270
  • Stephens College $23,341
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • K-State 92%
  • Stephens College 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • K-State 15,509
  • Stephens College 1,058
  • Admitted
  • K-State 12,669
  • Stephens College 817
  • Acceptance Rate
  • K-State 81.7%
  • Stephens College 77.2%
  • Enrolled
  • K-State 27.5%
  • Stephens College 14.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • K-State 1160
  • Stephens College 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • K-State 23
  • Stephens College 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • K-State 3.77
  • Stephens College 3.27
  • Typical High School Grades
  • K-State A-
  • Stephens College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • K-State Average
  • Stephens College Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • K-State
  • Stephens College
  • ACT Range
  • K-State 20/27
  • Stephens College 16/23
  • SAT Range
  • K-State 1060/1260
  • Stephens College 1130/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • K-State Test optional
  • Stephens College Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • K-State
  • Stephens College Nov 1, 2026

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • K-State 19:1
  • Stephens College 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • K-State
    • Business (17%)
    • Agriculture (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Stephens College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (36%)
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (6%)
    • English and Literature (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • K-State 56%
  • Stephens College 55%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • K-State $49,700
  • Stephens College $37,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • K-State 70%
  • Stephens College 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • K-State $22,500
  • Stephens College $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • K-State $232
  • Stephens College $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • K-State 46%
  • Stephens College 8%
  • % Women
  • K-State 54%
  • Stephens College 92%
  • Racial Diversity
  • K-State Low
  • Stephens College Medium
  • HBCU
  • K-State No
  • Stephens College No
  • % White
  • K-State 78%
  • Stephens College 69%
  • % Asian
  • K-State 1%
  • Stephens College 1%
  • % Black
  • K-State 4%
  • Stephens College 15%
  • % Hispanic
  • K-State 7%
  • Stephens College 5%
  • % Native American
  • K-State 0%
  • Stephens College 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • K-State 0%
  • Stephens College 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • K-State 3%
  • Stephens College 6%
  • % International
  • K-State 6%
  • Stephens College 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • K-State 1%
  • Stephens College 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • K-State 71%
  • Stephens College 58%
  • % Out-of-State
  • K-State 28%
  • Stephens College 39%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • K-State Yes
  • Stephens College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • K-State No
  • Stephens College No
  • Meal Plan
  • K-State Yes
  • Stephens College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • K-State Yes
  • Stephens College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • K-State Yes
  • Stephens College No

Comparable Facts

Compare Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kansas State University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (20,295 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
  • Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; Stephens College 8:1.

K-State vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or Stephens College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kansas State University than Stephens College ($20,527 vs. $23,194).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 4% lower than at Stephens College ($12,830 vs. $13,366).
  • Stephens College is 152.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than K-State (about $17,079 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $11,221.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at K-State than at Stephens College (about $268 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $28,300.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Kansas State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 151.8% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($23,341 vs. $9,270).

K-State vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or Stephens College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Stephens College and K-State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 40 points higher than at K-State (1160).
  • Incoming K-State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; Stephens College 1130/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; Stephens College 16/23.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
  • Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
  • K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

K-State vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and Stephens College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Kansas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
  • Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kansas State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, K-State graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.