K-State vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

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

Kansas State University is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (20,295 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kansas State University 19:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

K-State vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State or WSC? 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 Wayne State College than K-State ($16,060 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 21% lower than at Kansas State University ($10,142 vs. $12,830).
• Kansas State University is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $3,005 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 247.7% higher at K-State than at Wayne State College (about $20,352 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State College than at Kansas State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kansas State University students is 42.2% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($9,270 vs. $6,517).

K-State vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; WSC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at WSC (3.36).

K-State vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and WSC? 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 Wayne State College's (51%).
• Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $2,450 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($20,050 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($207 vs. $232).
• More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.