Kansas State University (K-State) is a public university of over 23,000 students in Manhattan, Kansas. It has a branch campus located in Salina specializing in technology and aviation, and there are agriculture experiment stations located in Hays, Garden City, Colby, and Parsons. Today the university awards bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
K-State was founded in 1863 on the grounds of Bluemont Central College. The university was relocated to its present-day location in 1875. Today Manhattan, Kansas is the University’s home, where the campus rests on 665 acres in the scenic Flint Hills. In 1991 the Kansas College of Technology merged with K-State along with its campus 70 miles from Manhattan.
K-State defines its mission in part as one of “developing human potential, expanding knowledge, enriching cultural expression, and extending its expertise to individual, business, education, and government.” The university emphasizes quality teaching, research, and life-long learning through extension courses. It is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive institution.
In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, K-State features an art museum, which focuses on Kansas but includes art from other areas and has exhibit shows, and a series of gardens. There is also a small butterfly conservatory and insect zoo.
Kansas State University
Academics
K-State’s eight academic departments include the Colleges of Agriculture, Architecture, Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Human Ecology, Technology and Aviation, and Veterinary Medicine.
In addition to the course requirements of every student’s major, K-State requires some general university education coursework. These courses are intended to link students’ class work, broaden their acquisition of knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. These courses are spread over the course of a student’s career at K-State, rather than being taken in bulk or at the beginning of the student’s career.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including different fields of agriculture and horticulture, interior architecture, liberal arts and sciences, fisheries and wildlife biology, sociology, business, education, aviation, engineering, and technology. The College of Technology and Aviation offers associate degrees in aviation-related fields. A few certificate programs exist within each college except veterinary medicine. While no undergraduate degree is awarded in veterinary medicine, students may take courses with a pre-veterinary concentration through the College of Arts & Sciences. The College also offers other pre-professional programs on a non-degree basis.
Master’s degrees are awarded largely in the sciences, with an emphasis in agriculture and agriculture-related sciences, and in engineering and technology. A few Master of Arts are offered in economics, English, environmental planning and management, geography, history, modern languages, political science, sociology, and speech.
The school awards around 45 doctoral degrees, in fields such as education, the sciences, economics, and engineering. No doctoral degrees are awarded in English or other languages, philosophy, art, or related fields. Ph.D.’s are offered in history, mathematics, sociology, and geography, but the University’s focus is on the sciences, especially as related to agriculture and nutrition.
Library Resources
The K-State library system offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. There are special libraries for architecture, engineering, math & physics, and veterinary medicine. The university main library has a special collection of rare books and the university archives and manuscripts, and also houses a bindery.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Kansas State University.
The Department of Grain Science and Industry grants the country’s only Bachelor of Science degrees in baking science, feed science, and milling science. Minors are offered in these fields, as well as in cereal science. The Department’s facilities include mills, storage facilities, and bakeries.
Kansas State University
Admissions
K-State has fairly liberal requirements for freshman admissions. Applicants can meet admissions requirements in one of three ways: First, they can score a 21 or better on the ACT or a 980 or better on the SAT. Second, they can rank in the top third of their class as determined by GPA. Finally, they can complete the Kansas pre-college curriculum with a GPA of 2.0 (out of state residents must achieve a 2.5 GPA). Approximately 10 percent of freshmen who are admitted gain admission under exceptions to these three rules.
Graduate students must provide the following for admissions to the graduate school: application, fee, and transcripts. Individual programs set their own requirements, and students should consult directly with the program for specific requirements.
Financial Aid
K-State’s financial aid application process begins with submission of the FAFSA. Award letters are issued that detail any institutional, state, or federal aid that an applicant is entitled to. The University’s online KATS system allows applicants to submit and review their financial aid applications electronically.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Kansas State University 4146th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Kansas scholarships and financial aid
The K-State Student Union describes itself as the “living room” for the campus community. The Union is home to events, food, shopping, and a number of recreational outlets including pinball, pool tables, and a full-service bowling alley, and facilities for the hundreds of student clubs and organizations. K-State is also home to a large number of Greek organizations.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Kansas State University?
The Kansas State Wildcats compete in Division I-A of the NCAA in football, baseball, volleyball, rowing, and men’s and women’s basketball and golf, among others. Sports facilities include a coliseum, a football stadium, a baseball stadium, a field house, a golf course, and stables. Teams are supported by a marching band, a color guard, and a mascot.
Kansas State University
Traditions
Willie the Wildcat is selected every year by a panel appointed by K-State’s cheerleading coach. While the Wildcat has been K-State’s mascot for years, originally they were simply known as the Aggies, and even at one time known as the Farmers. A real, live wildcat known as “Touchdown” used to attend every K-State football game, but has since been rehoused at the local zoo.
Local Community
Manhattan, a city of over 52,000 people, is located in central Kansas. In addition to being home to K-State, is also home to many beautiful parks, the Sunset Zoo, and very friendly people. The city recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with a festival, bike tour, poetry contest, and many other festive events. The historic downtown, like many in the country, is going through some impressive renovations to bring it into the twenty first century.
Bibliography
About. Kansas State University. Web. 16 June 2011.
Athletics. Kansas State University. Web. 16 June 2011.
Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.
Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.
Welcome. Kansas State University. Web. 16 June 2011.
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10 months agojohn lee barker jbuakaman ((at)) yahoo dot com
My kids Brandie and Christopher barker both graguated there, making me a fan. I have a swmall karaoke and dj business and lookin for some good KSU fight songs I can play during my gigs. Thirty seconds or more is ok too. I have bought the band cd, but would like some thing a little more clear and good quality when i play it good and loud :)
almost 3 years agoMinto Michael minto_michael ((at)) rediffmail dot com
Kansas State University is a great place to have your education. It has a beautiful campus, modern laboratories, great library and best on-campus wireless internet. People of Manhattan are very friendly and helpful. K-State has a beautiful on-campus housing for students. Manhattan has place called Aggieville with over 40 bars and restaurants. Aggieville is a great and fun place to spend your Friday night. I love K-State and Manhattan. For students who really want to learn something and live in a peaceful friendly environment, K-State is the best option.
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jbuakaman ((at)) yahoo dot com
My kids Brandie and Christopher barker both graguated there, making me a fan. I have a swmall karaoke and dj business and lookin for some good KSU fight songs I can play during my gigs. Thirty seconds or more is ok too. I have bought the band cd, but would like some thing a little more clear and good quality when i play it good and loud :)