Kansas State University
MANHATTAN, KS
Old Dominion University
NORFOLK, VA
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Kansas state vs Old dominion — 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
Old Dominion University
OLD DOMINION
Norfolk, VA
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance90.4%
Median SAT1197
Graduation rate46.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$55K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Kansas State University Old Dominion University
#501-600 World rank · ARWU #801-900
Rank · THE
81.7% Acceptance rate 90.4%
1151 Median SAT 1197
71.1% Graduation rate 46.3%
20,295 Enrollment 23,743

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

81.7% Acceptance rate 90.4%
27.5% Yield rate 19.9%
1151 Median SAT 1197
3.80 Avg. GPA 3.50
15,432 Number of applications 15,100
5% Int'l students 3%
$57K Median earnings · 10 yrs $55K
$52K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $49K
$83K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $80K
71.1% Graduation rate 46.3%
85.6% Retention rate 77%
$21,250 Median debt $24,000
$28,568 Tuition · year $33,780
$15,968 Avg. aid package $30,437
77% % of need met 53%
$25,179 Avg. graduate debt $32,043
$40 Application fee $50
Avg. int'l aid
At a glance
Kansas state leads in 10 of 12 measured metrics
Aid$15,968 vs $30,437
Graduation71.1% vs 46.3%
% of need77% vs 53%

EXPERT TAKE

Kansas state is the more selective of the two (81.7% vs 90.4% acceptance). Kansas state ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #801-900). Kansas state graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K). Kansas state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $33,780 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 world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Old dominion for: a larger aid package.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Kansas state is more selective (81.7% vs 90.4% acceptance); Old dominion has a higher median SAT (1197 vs 1151).

Graduate outcomes

Kansas state graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($57K vs $55K); Kansas state has a higher 6-year graduation rate (71.1% vs 46.3%).

Cost and aid

Kansas state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $33,780); Old dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $15,968).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

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

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Kansas state Old dominion
World rank · ARWU#501-600#801-900
Rank · THE
Acceptance rate81.7%90.4%
Yield rate27.5%19.9%
Median SAT11511197
Avg. GPA3.803.50
Number of applications15,43215,100
International students5%3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$57K$55K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$52K$49K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$83K$80K
Graduation rate71.1%46.3%
Retention rate85.6%77%
Median debt$21,250$24,000
Tuition · year$28,568$33,780
Avg. aid package$15,968$30,437
% of need met77%53%
Avg. graduate debt$25,179$32,043
Application fee$40$50
Enrollment20,29523,743

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Kansas state or Old dominion?

It's harder to get into Kansas state. Kansas state accepts 81.7% of applicants, while Old dominion accepts 90.4%.

Do Kansas state or Old dominion graduates earn more?

Kansas state graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $57K vs $55K.

How much is tuition at Kansas state vs Old dominion?

Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas state and $33,780 per year at Old dominion.

What SAT score do you need for Kansas state or Old dominion?

The median admitted SAT score is 1151 at Kansas state and 1197 at Old dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Kansas state or Old dominion?

Kansas state ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas state vs #801-900 for Old dominion.

Which university offers more financial aid — Kansas state or Old dominion?

The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas state and $30,437 at Old dominion.

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.