Kansas State vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 4.5% of applications, Kansas State admits 82%.
The more international environment is at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (11.7% international students) than Kansas State (1.7%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards international students $77,266 on average, Kansas State awards $5,729.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Massachusetts Institute of Technology starts at $86,904 against $43,928 and ends at $18,546 against $27,960 (Kansas State).
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 82% 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 $64,730 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 82% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1150).
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%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | - | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 28,232 |
| International students | 1.7% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 99% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 77% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 11,886 |
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 82% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
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 $64,730 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 1150 at Kansas State and 1550 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.
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