Kansas State vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Northwestern admits 7.7% of applications, Kansas State admits 82%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Northwestern: 11.8% of students against 1.7% (Kansas State).
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $5,729 (Kansas State).
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas State: $28,568 against $70,589, or $42,021 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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 82% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $70,589 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 Northwestern 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
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 82% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1150).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $57K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 49,474 |
| International students | 1.7% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 77% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Kansas State or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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