Kansas State University vs Manhattan Area Technical College: which has better ROI?
Kansas State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,624 in 8.7 years versus 11.5 years at Manhattan Area Technical College, on median earnings of $57,262 vs $51,864 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kansas State University | Manhattan Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,406 | $10,074 |
| Total net cost | $77,624 | $40,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,262 | $51,864 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | 11.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $100,416 | $29,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kansas State University or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College, at $10,074 a year after aid versus $19,406 — a gap of $9,332 a year, or $37,328 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Kansas State University or Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn more?
Kansas State University graduates report a median $57,262 ten years after entry, $5,398 more than the $51,864 at Manhattan Area Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Kansas State University or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Kansas State University, a difference of $11,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Manhattan Area Technical College, against 71% at Kansas State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.