Kansas State University
MANHATTAN, KS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CAMBRIDGE, MA
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Kansas state vs Massachusetts institute of technology — US university comparison

Kansas State University
KANSAS STATE
Manhattan, KS
World rank · ARWU#501-600
Acceptance81.7%
Median SAT1151
Graduation rate71.1%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$57K
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Cambridge, MA
World rank · ARWU#3
Acceptance4.5%
Median SAT1560
Graduation rate96.4%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$143K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Kansas State University Massachusetts Institute of Technology
#501-600 World rank · ARWU #3
Rank · THE #2
81.7% Acceptance rate 4.5%
1151 Median SAT 1560
71.1% Graduation rate 96.4%
20,295 Enrollment 11,886

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

81.7% Acceptance rate 4.5%
27.5% Yield rate 86.1%
1151 Median SAT 1560
3.80 Avg. GPA
15,432 Number of applications 28,232
5% Int'l students 33%
$57K Median earnings · 10 yrs $143K
$52K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $154K
$83K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $243K
71.1% Graduation rate 96.4%
85.6% Retention rate 99%
$21,250 Median debt $14,768
$28,568 Tuition · year $62,396
$15,968 Avg. aid package $68,358
77% % of need met 100%
$25,179 Avg. graduate debt $29,488
$40 Application fee $75
Avg. int'l aid
At a glance
Massachusetts institute of technology leads in 9 of 11 measured metrics
Acceptance81.7% vs 4.5%
Aid$15,968 vs $68,358
Yield27.5% vs 86.1%

EXPERT TAKE

Massachusetts institute of technology is the more selective of the two (4.5% vs 81.7% acceptance). Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #3). Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $57K). Kansas state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $62,396 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: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.

Choose Massachusetts institute of technology 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

Admissions

Massachusetts institute of technology is more selective (4.5% vs 81.7% acceptance); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher median SAT (1560 vs 1151).

Graduate outcomes

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $57K); Massachusetts institute of technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 71.1%).

Cost and aid

Kansas state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $62,396); Massachusetts institute of technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $15,968).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$34k$57k$80kKansas stateMassachusetts institute of technology TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Kansas state and Massachusetts institute of technology highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Kansas state Massachusetts institute of technology
World rank · ARWU#501-600#3
Rank · THE#2
Acceptance rate81.7%4.5%
Yield rate27.5%86.1%
Median SAT11511560
Avg. GPA3.80
Number of applications15,43228,232
International students5%33%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$57K$143K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$52K$154K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$83K$243K
Graduation rate71.1%96.4%
Retention rate85.6%99%
Median debt$21,250$14,768
Tuition · year$28,568$62,396
Avg. aid package$15,968$68,358
% of need met77%100%
Avg. graduate debt$25,179$29,488
Application fee$40$75
Enrollment20,29511,886

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Kansas state or Massachusetts institute of technology?

It's harder to get into Massachusetts institute of technology. Kansas state accepts 81.7% of applicants, while Massachusetts institute of technology accepts 4.5%.

Do Kansas state or Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more?

Massachusetts institute of technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $57K.

How much is tuition at Kansas state vs Massachusetts institute of technology?

Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas state and $62,396 per year at Massachusetts institute of technology.

What SAT score do you need for Kansas state or Massachusetts institute of technology?

The median admitted SAT score is 1151 at Kansas state and 1560 at Massachusetts institute of technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Kansas state or Massachusetts institute of technology?

Massachusetts institute of technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas state vs #3 for Massachusetts institute of technology.

Which university offers more financial aid — Kansas state or Massachusetts institute of technology?

The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas state and $68,358 at Massachusetts institute of technology.

Compare Kansas state with
Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.