Kansas vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: West Virginia awards international students $21,636 on average, Kansas awards $11,164.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Kansas: $62K against $56K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Kansas: 1190 against 1110, a gap of 80 points.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 3.1% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
West Virginia is the more selective of the two (89% vs 93.48% acceptance). Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #501-600). Kansas graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $30,432 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 for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose West Virginia for: higher selectivity, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
West Virginia is more selective (89% vs 93.48% acceptance); Kansas has a higher median SAT (1190 vs 1110).
Kansas graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $56K); Kansas has a higher 6-year graduation rate (68.8% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $30,432); Kansas offers a larger average aid package ($19,700 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 93.48% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.68 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 20,150 |
| International students | 3.1% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $40K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 68.8% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 86% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $30,432 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $19,700 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 78.6% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,212 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $40 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 29,792 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into West Virginia. Kansas accepts 93.48% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Kansas or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Kansas graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Kansas vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $30,432 per year at Kansas and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas or West Virginia?
Kansas ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Kansas vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $19,700 at Kansas and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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