Head-to-head · 2026
Pittsburg State University vs University of Kansas
Compare average net price ($15,784 at Pittsburg State University; $18,059 at University of Kansas), ROI score (8.01 vs 8.58), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,579 vs $61,945), and admissions selectivity (89.4% acceptance at Pittsburg State University; 93.5% at University of Kansas) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Pittsburg State University | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.01 | 8.58 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,784 ✓ | $18,059 |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,136 ✓ | $72,236 |
| In-state tuition | $8,400 | $12,102 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,744 | $30,432 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,579 | $61,945 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 89.4% | 93.5% |
| Graduation rate | 56.6% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 77.2% | 86.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,969 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 4,210 | 21,217 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1050 | 1190 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Pittsburg State University | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,968 ✓ | $12,544 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,453 ✓ | $12,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,676 ✓ | $15,154 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,873 ✓ | $19,169 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,237 ✓ | $22,544 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Pittsburg State University | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.2% | 4.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 8.7% | 3.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 10.7% | 1.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6.8% | 1.5% |
| Psychology, General | 2.9% | 4.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.7% | 3.6% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 2.3% | 3% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.9% | 3.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Pittsburg State University reports the lower average net price by $2,275 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,100 difference over four years ($63,136 vs $72,236).
University of Kansas reports $11,366 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,945 vs $50,579). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 77.2% at Pittsburg State University and 86.5% at University of Kansas. Median federal debt among completers is $18,969 vs $21,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Pittsburg State University vs University of Kansas, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pittsburg State University is cheaper — average net price $15,784 per year vs $18,059 at University of Kansas. The annual difference of $2,275 adds up to about $9,100 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Kansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,945 vs $50,579 at Pittsburg State University. The gap in the federal data is $11,366. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Pittsburg State University is more selective at 89.4% acceptance vs 93.5% at University of Kansas.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.