Kansas State University
Median Salary (5 years)
Bachelor's
$63,430
Master's
$71,568
Doctoral
$113,136
Kansas State University (K-State) is a four-year, public university that offers over 100 online degree programs. Students can choose from 24 online bachelor's degrees as well as online degrees at the associate, master's, and doctoral levels. Whether you’re pursuing a degree online or on campus, you’ll receive the same diploma when you graduate, which doesn't specify how courses were delivered. According to U.S. federal data from , K-State has a 62% graduation rate and over 16,000 undergraduate students.
Rankings
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#3
2026 Most Popular Online Nutrition Degrees
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#4
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#4
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Engineering Management
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#5
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#5
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#5
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#6
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Nutrition
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#6
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's in Software Engineering
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#7
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#9
2026 Best Online Elementary Education Degrees
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#9
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Industrial Engineering
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#10
Most Popular Social Science Degrees Online
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#10
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Music Education
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#12
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering
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#13
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Electrical Engineering
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#16
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Civil Engineering
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#16
2026 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Finance
Median Salary for Online Degrees at Kansas State University
Bachelor's Degrees
| Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | $27,301 | $65,318 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,538 | $67,390 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $54,223 | $64,510 |
| Civil Engineering | $69,300 | $77,352 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,385 | $57,251 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | Not Reported | $46,759 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $78,758 | $91,586 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $39,646 | $71,863 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $54,509 | $73,166 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | Not Reported | $53,757 |
| Gerontology | $37,623 | $66,752 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,241 | $44,784 |
| Journalism | $37,484 | $54,635 |
| Social Sciences, General | $40,793 | $50,046 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,320 | $46,577 |
Master's Degrees
| Field of Study | Median Salary (1 year) | Median Salary (5 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Not Reported | $73,784 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | $51,909 | $55,762 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $51,067 | $56,307 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $47,436 | $52,008 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,704 | $101,078 |
FAQs About Kansas State University
Is Kansas State University Online?
K-State offers both online and in-person programs. The Global Campus delivers over 100 online degrees at all program levels. There are three campuses throughout Kansas (Olathe, Manhattan, and Salina), each focusing on specialty areas of study. For example, the Salina campus has research facilities and specializes in online aviation training programs, while its main campus in Manhattan is next to an Army installation, where students may collaborate on military projects.
Is Kansas State University Accredited?
Yes, K-State is accredited by the , an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation is an official stamp of approval that means a school has been vetted and determined to have high quality curriculum, faculty, and distance education offerings. It's especially important for online students to ensure they are choosing an accredited school because they likely won't be visiting the campus to inspect the school themselves. Only accredited online institutions of higher learning are featured on OnlineU.
What Is Kansas State University Known For?
K-State is best known for its research efforts, particularly in the field of agriculture. In 2020, over $7.7 million was put toward research efforts at the Manhattan campus' Biosecurity Research Institute. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Defense worked closely with K-State to build this facility in order to improve the nation's food supply and prevent breakouts from dangerous animal diseases. Some of the courses that this institute delivers are available online, including the core . There are also relevant online programs students can earn outside of the institute, such as the and a .
Which Degrees at K-State Provide the Highest Earnings for Graduates?
All of the highest earning degrees at K-State are in the field of engineering. College Scorecard lists five engineering fields that are expected to earn graduates a median annual salary between $73,400 and $83,200. These areas include electrical, chemical, construction, architectural, and mechanical engineering. While these programs are available on campus at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels, only the is available online.
K-State's Salary Score is another meaningful way to measure potential salary outcomes. This is a proprietary metric designed by OnlineU that compares alumni salaries across schools using the same degree. On a scale of 1 to 100, K-State's score is 63 at the bachelor's level and 46 at the master's level.
How Difficult Is It To Get Into K-State?
According to College Scorecard data, K-State's acceptance rate is much higher than most other schools at 94%. Although it doesn't quite meet the threshold of an open admissions policy, students are still far more likely to be accepted if they meet the admission requirements.
What Are the Admission Requirements for K-State?
Admissions requirements for K-State vary depending on whether applicants are international, graduate, transfer, nondegree, homeschooled, or military students. These steps outline the application process:
- Fill out an .
- Submit high school transcripts by email or mail them directly to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
- For first-year students, entrance exam scores are not required, but only if students have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 or higher. Submit ACT/SAT scores if applicable, and note that SAT scores must be 1060 or higher, while ACT scores must reach a composite score of 21.
- Pay the $40 application fee ($80 for international students).
Students should expect between four and six weeks to receive a response on the status of their application.