More learners choosing K-State

K-State student recruitment effort continues to yield success

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ansas State University is welcoming the fourth-largest first-time freshman class in university history. These new Wildcats have joined transfer and returning students to form a cohort of 21,213 future leaders, nuclear engineers, biosecurity experts, aviation pilots and specialists, teachers, health care professionals and innovators.

The university's focus on increasing access to education is a key driver in the overall 4.5% enrollment increase across all campuses. As the next-generation land-grant university, K-State is offering and developing educational opportunities to meet the economic and workforce needs of Kansas and the nation.

"Our commitment to increasing access to education and meeting the needs of industry is steadfast, " said Provost and Executive Vice President Jesse Perez Mendez. "By focusing our efforts to be the next-generation land-grant university, we are setting a high standard for educational excellence and changing lives."

In addition to the more than 21,000 for-credit learners, K-State also provides educational opportunities to more than 6,000 non-credit learners.

Student support keeps retention, graduation rates strong

Fostering an environment of support and well-being for students engaging in a high-quality education is critical to being a next-generation land-grant university. K-State provides an environment where students can grow and develop lifelong skills that they carry with them into the workforce.

"My time at K-State, especially through Finance Scholars, gave me the technical foundation to build models and put together credit and equity analyses quickly," said Hannah Higgins, a May 2024 graduate in finance. "Coming in with those skills made me dependable right away for the fundamentals. My team didn't have to spend time teaching me the basics or holding my hand, and that freed me up to focus on drawing real conclusions and providing more valuable insights."

Financial support is one way K-State is improving access to education. K-State offers $97 million in financial aid to students annually. More than 83% of students receive some form of financial assistance from the university or other sources.

K-State offers a range of academic and personal success services to support students. From tutoring and academic coaching to peer mentors and writing support to peer-to-peer financial counseling and career placement services, Wildcats are equipped with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked K-State in the top 100 best value schools and top public universities in the nation. Through strong academic programs, highly rated and caring faculty, and numerous opportunities, students are highly satisfied with their experience at K-State.

K-State's graduation rates continue to be significantly higher than the national average for public, four-year universities. The university retains 85.8% of its first-time freshmen and graduates 71.5% of students within six years.

This success continues after graduation, with 96% of bachelor's and master's degree graduates reporting employment or continued studies in graduate or professional school six months after graduation.

"K-State played a huge role in preparing me for future success, not just academically but personally and professionally as well," said Garrett Willis, a May 2025 graduate in kinesiology. "The professors and advisors were incredibly supportive and accessible, and the career resources — like resume workshops, mock interviews and career fairs — were game changers when it came to internships and getting accepted into graduate school."

2025 student body profile by the numbers

K-State's fall 2025 student body is a collection of more than 21,000 stories.

As students discover their strengths, interests, and ambitions, their stories are shaped by high-quality teaching, real-world experiences, and leadership skills that prepare them to make a lasting impact on Kansas and the world.

"The thing you hear all the time about K-State engineers, and K-Staters in general, is that we have a fantastic work ethic. I do not think that is an accident at all," said Jude Conley, a May 2025 graduate in computer engineering. "There is a combination of challenges and teamwork at K-State that almost mirrors what I am now seeing in the workplace. I have never met so many peers and staff who wanted me to succeed."

See more data and statistics in the Office of Data, Assessment and Institutional Research's Interactive Factbook.

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