Kansas State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Kansas State University charges a net price of $19,406/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $77,624. Graduates earn a median $57,262 ten years after entry, $8,902/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.7 years — a 20-year net return of $100,416, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Kansas State University's 8.7-year payback ranks #726 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 43% of them, and #5 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $19,406/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $77,624 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $57,262 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,902/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $100,416 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Kansas State University's own numbers. Net price $19,406 × 4 years = $77,624 total. Median earnings $57,262 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,902 a year of premium. $77,624 ÷ $8,902 = 8.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $100,416. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Kansas State University students graduate with?
A median $21,250 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $57,262 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Kansas State University students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $77,624 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $109,330 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Kansas State University expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $19,406 net price runs $4,126 above the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, or $16,504 more across the full degree.