University of Kansas vs Emporia State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Kansas holds a 32-point ROI advantage over Emporia State University, scoring 76/100 versus 44/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Emporia State University comes in at $16,261 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,059 at University of Kansas - a difference of $1,798 annually, or roughly $7,192 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Kansas graduates earn a median of $61,945 compared to $47,601 at Emporia State University. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of Kansas versus 16.3 years at Emporia State University.
Graduates leave Emporia State University with a median $19,500 in debt versus $21,000 at University of Kansas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Kansas | Emporia State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,102 | $7,106 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,432 | $15,419 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,059 | $16,261 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $72,236 | $65,044 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,100 | $33,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,945 | $47,601 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.8% | 56.1% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 16.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,000 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $223 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.47 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.1% | 75.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.4% | 66.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 97.7% |
| Enrollment | 21,217 | 2,239 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Kansas | Emporia State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,544 | $11,452 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,942 | $11,905 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,154 | $14,229 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,169 | $18,994 |
| $110,001+ | $22,544 | $19,531 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Kansas | Emporia State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $84,736 | $65,271 |
| Registered Nursing | $78,601 | $71,002 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,725 | $60,719 |
| Marketing | $70,404 | $55,527 |
| Biology | $61,561 | $65,043 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,258 | $45,003 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,777 | $50,717 |
| Psychology | $55,329 | $53,022 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $52,106 | $50,458 |
| Teacher Education | $50,434 | $46,195 |
| Sociology | $48,146 | $45,661 |
| English Language and Literature | $46,464 | $45,292 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $38,355 | $34,355 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Kansas | Emporia State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 40 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 34 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 79 | 53 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 52 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 61 | 55 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 44 |
The Verdict
University of Kansas significantly outperforms Emporia State University on financial ROI (76 vs 44). The 32-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Emporia State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Kansas.
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University of Kansas
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Emporia State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.