Kansas State vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Central Florida admits 44.7% of applicants, while Kansas State admits 82%.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Central Florida: a midpoint of 1260 against 1150, a difference of 110 points.
More than twice the application volume goes to Central Florida (55,135 against 15,432), which changes how any single file is read.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 3.3% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Central Florida is the more selective of the two (44.71% vs 82% acceptance). Central Florida ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #401-500). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($57K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $28,568 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Kansas State for: a larger aid package.
Choose Central Florida for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Central Florida is more selective (44.71% vs 82% acceptance); Central Florida has a higher median SAT (1260 vs 1150).
Central Florida graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($58K vs $57K); Central Florida has a higher 6-year graduation rate (78% vs 71.1%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $28,568); Kansas State offers a larger average aid package ($15,968 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 55,135 |
| International students | 1.7% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 77% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $40 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Central Florida. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Kansas State or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $57K at Kansas State and $58K at Central Florida.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Central Florida?
Central Florida ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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