Stanford vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Stanford admits 3.8% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The more international environment is at Stanford (13.1% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
Real money goes to international students at Stanford ($85,424 on average), while Kansas stops at $11,164.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Stanford starts at $97,545 against $47,138 and ends at $20,266 against $27,438 (Kansas).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 93.48% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #301-400). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $68,574 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Kansas for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 93.48% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1190).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $62K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 22,363 |
| International students | 13.1% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 86% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | $100 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Stanford or Kansas graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Kansas?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Kansas?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $19,700 at Kansas.
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