Arkansas vs. K-State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arkansas is larger than K-State based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 20,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Kansas State University is in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Kansas State University 19:1.

Arkansas vs. K-State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas than K-State ($18,408 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kansas State University are 9.9% lower than at University of Arkansas ($12,830 vs. $14,244).
• Kansas State University is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $1,117 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Arkansas than at Kansas State University (about $1,398 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $28,568.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kansas State University than at University of Arkansas (92% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kansas State University students is 5.3% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($9,270 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. K-State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kansas State University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at K-State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Kansas State University 1060/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Kansas State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; K-State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Arkansas (3.74).
• K-State has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 27.5% at K-State.

Arkansas vs. K-State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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).

• University of Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Kansas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $700 more per year than K-State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than K-State graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than K-State graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 66%)

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.