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2025 Visionary Plan

If you have questions or comments, or suggestions, please send an email to 2025@k-state.edu

Current progress 

Achieving K-State 2025 requires collaboration and participation from every sector of our campuses. It is crucial to measure our success and recognize our accomplishments in various areas. Kansas State University is committed to an open, honest evaluation of our advancement, thus we will report our progress annually to the K-State community. Early in the planning process, eight key metrics were selected by the president's cabinet to assess our progress. While they are not the only measures of success, these metrics provide a reliable system to check our momentum.

To learn more about the university's progress against our benchmark measurements, click on the links below or see Annual Reports. To learn more about the key university benchmarks, see Measuring Our Progress

Based on the 2014-2015 Progress Report

The reporting below offers a snapshot of the university's progress against our benchmark measurements. Our complete 2014-2015 progress report (pdf), including progress by theme, is also available for download. 

To review the university's most recent rankings, see the Most Recent Rankings (pdf)

For a detailed definition of each benchmark, see Measuring Our Progress.

1) Total research and development expenditures

It is our goal to increase our research and development expenditures and further demonstrate the confidence entrusted to the university's endeavors. Our researchers develop new ways of thinking and creating that can change the world. Increasing our research and development expenditures is one important measure for becoming a top 50 public research university.

Total research expenditures for FY 2014 184.9 million

 

2) Total endowment

Kansas State University prides itself on its strong relationships with alumni and industry. Often, these individuals, families or businesses choose to sponsor a faculty position or a program through an endowment. As our number of endowed chairs and programs grows, our faculty and students will be able to expand their educational and research potential. The university places a high value on our partnerships and generosity of our donors.

Increased endowment, FY2015 488.8 million 

3) Number of National Academy members

With a top-tier research university comes a top-tier faculty. Often, these outstanding faculty members are recognized for their stellar research through a National Academy membership.

The university's first National Academy professor is Jim Riviere, university distinguished professor or anatomy and physiology and member of the Institute of Medicine on the National Academies. Attracting and retaining strong faculty members like Riviere is a strong indicator that Kansas State University is becoming more widely known for its research potential.

National Academy Members
2012201320142015
1111
4) Number of faculty awards

Faculty awards from prominent grant and fellowship programs honor not only our prestigious faculty, but also Kansas State University itself. These internationally recognized awards from the arts, humanities, science, engineering, and health fields honor the outstanding work of our faculty who are recognized as leaders in their fields.

View our Faculty Awards and Honors for just a sampling of their achievements. 

Faculty Awards
2010201120122013
9523
5) Number of doctorates awarded

Kansas State University is a positive imprint on the world today and in the years to come. We aim to place the future in the hands of tomorrow's researchers and scholars through an increased number of awarded doctoral degrees. When students begin their research or scholarly pursuits on our campus, they spread the power of not only education, but a Kansas State University education.

Doctorates awarded in 2014-2015, 190

6) Freshman-to-sophomore retention rates

The transition to college is always an adjustment, regardless of an individual's situation. At Kansas State University, we strive to create an engaging, positive environment in which freshmen feel confident and successful. We are dedicated to ensuring first-year students remain for their sophomore year and take full advantage of the opportunities that the university has to offer.

Freshman-to-sophomore retention rates Fall 2015 83 percent

7) Six-year graduation rate

At Kansas State University, we're committed to helping students complete their bachelor's degrees and achieve success. Specific programs and individuals require different amounts of time, but our goal is for as many students as possible to complete their degree within six years. An increase in the six-year graduation rate demonstrates a positive, supportive campus and accessible faculty and staff.

Six-year graduation rate by cohort, 2008 59 percent

8) Percentage of undergraduates involved in formalized research experience

When research happens at the top level, great things happen. When research happens at all levels, the possibilities are limitless. Not only is it important to expose undergraduates to research opportunities, but they often offer a fresh perspective to a variety of projects. When the entire community is engaged and invested in research, the university grows and benefits.

Course-based methodology

The university established a course-based methodology to improve the tracking of undergraduate participation in research and scholarly and creative activities and to recognize this research on student transcripts.