Northeastern vs Kansas state — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 81.7% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #501-600). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $57K). Kansas state has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $66,162 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 Northeastern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Kansas state for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 81.7% acceptance); Northeastern has a higher median SAT (1497 vs 1151).
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 $66,162); Northeastern offers a larger average aid package ($46,555 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Kansas state |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 81.7% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1497 | 1151 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 15,432 |
| International students | 37% | 5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $57K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $74K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $66,162 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Kansas state?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Kansas state accepts 81.7%.
Do Northeastern or Kansas state graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Kansas state?
Sticker-price tuition is $66,162 per year at Northeastern and $28,568 per year at Kansas state.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Kansas state?
The median admitted SAT score is 1497 at Northeastern and 1151 at Kansas state; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Northeastern or Kansas state?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #501-600 for Kansas state.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northeastern or Kansas state?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $15,968 at Kansas state.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern