K-State vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

K-State vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or Nebraska? 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 University of Nebraska Lincoln than K-State ($18,322 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 9.1% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($12,830 vs. $14,120).
• Kansas State University is 7.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $787 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Nebraska than at Kansas State University (about $16 more per year; $28,584.00 vs. $28,568.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Kansas State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($10,541 vs. $9,270).

K-State vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska and K-State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska Lincoln (1210) is 50 points higher than at K-State (1160).
• Incoming Nebraska students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at K-State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than K-State (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

K-State vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and Nebraska? 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).

• University of Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Kansas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($21,700 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($224 vs. $232).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former K-State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

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.