San Jose State vs. K-State

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, CA with Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); Kansas State University is in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting).
• San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Jose State University 25:1; Kansas State University 19:1.

San Jose State vs. K-State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State or K-State? 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 San Jose State University than K-State ($13,892 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 38.8% lower than at San Jose State University ($12,830 vs. $20,971).
• Kansas State University is 33.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $2,811 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at K-State than at San Jose State University (about $7,558 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kansas State University than at San Jose State University (92% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 33.3% larger than aid received by Kansas State University students ($12,353 vs. $9,270).

San Jose State vs. K-State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kansas State University (1160) is 30 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming K-State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; Kansas State University 1060/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; Kansas State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; K-State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than K-State (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 27.5% at K-State.

San Jose State vs. K-State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose State and K-State? 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than K-State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $49,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($155 vs. $232).
• More San Jose State 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.