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Is Kansas State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Kansas State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
Kansas State lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $21,250 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $57,262, but the margin is not huge. For context, Kansas State's net price runs about 42% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$18,745
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $5,591 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $22,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$19,406
Median earnings 10 years out
$57,262
Median debt at graduation
$21,250
Graduation rate
71%
At Kansas State, a typical graduate carries about $21,250 in student debt and earns roughly $57,262 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $242 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Kansas State is a public four year school in Manhattan, KS. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Worth-It Score: 73/100
Median net price: $18,059
Public 4-year
Emporia State
Emporia, KS
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $16,261
Public 4-year
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg, KS
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $15,784
Public 4-year
Washburn
Topeka, KS
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $15,280
Public 4-year
Wichita State
Wichita, KS
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $13,194
Common questions about Kansas State
The median net price at Kansas State is $19,406 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Kansas? See the most affordable public universities in Kansas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →