Kansas State vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Northeastern admits 5.2% of applications, Kansas State admits 82%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Northeastern) against 1.7% (Kansas State).
Real money goes to international students at Northeastern ($24,539 on average), while Kansas State stops at $5,729.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas State: $28,568 against $69,289, or $40,721 less a year.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 82% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $69,289 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 Northeastern 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
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 82% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1490 vs 1150).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $57K); Northeastern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (90.5% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $69,289); Northeastern offers a larger average aid package ($46,555 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 98,425 |
| International students | 1.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 77% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Kansas State or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Northeastern?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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