Kansas state vs Houston — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.9% vs 81.7% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #201-300). Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $57K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 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 higher graduation rate.
Choose Houston 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
Houston is more selective (73.9% vs 81.7% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1250 vs 1151).
Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $57K); Kansas state has a higher 6-year graduation rate (71.1% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $28,568); Houston offers a larger average aid package ($16,450 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas state | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 81.7% | 73.9% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1151 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.50 |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 31,716 |
| International students | 5% | 16% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $62K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $52K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 87% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $22,547 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 77% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas state or Houston?
It's harder to get into Houston. Kansas state accepts 81.7% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.9%.
Do Kansas state or Houston graduates earn more?
Houston graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Kansas state vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas state and $22,547 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas state or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1151 at Kansas state and 1250 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Kansas state or Houston?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas state vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid — Kansas state or Houston?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas state and $16,450 at Houston.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern