North Carolina vs Kansas State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: North Carolina admits 15.3% of applications, Kansas State admits 82%.
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Kansas State reports aid for international students ($5,729 on average), North Carolina does not.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas State: $28,568 against $45,228, or $16,660 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to North Carolina: $72K against $57K.
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
North Carolina is the more selective of the two (15.34% vs 82% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #501-600). North Carolina graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($72K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $45,228 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 North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Kansas State for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
North Carolina is more selective (15.34% vs 82% acceptance); North Carolina has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1150).
North Carolina graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($72K vs $57K); North Carolina has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.2% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $45,228); North Carolina offers a larger average aid package ($20,705 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North Carolina | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 15.34% | 82% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1150 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.49 | 3.81 |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 15,432 |
| International students | 6.4% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $48K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $45,228 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 100% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $85 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North Carolina or Kansas State?
It's harder to get into North Carolina. North Carolina accepts 15.34% of applicants, while Kansas State accepts 82%.
Do North Carolina or Kansas State graduates earn more?
North Carolina graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $72K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at North Carolina vs Kansas State?
Sticker-price tuition is $45,228 per year at North Carolina and $28,568 per year at Kansas State.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina or Kansas State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at North Carolina and 1150 at Kansas State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - North Carolina or Kansas State?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North Carolina vs #501-600 for Kansas State.
Which university offers more financial aid - North Carolina or Kansas State?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North Carolina and $15,968 at Kansas State.
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