Business/Commerce (Bachelor's Degree) at Kansas State University

Analysis

Kansas State's business program hits an attractive sweet spot: graduates earn $54,223 in their first year while carrying just $29,705 in debt—a 0.55 ratio that's manageable by any standard. That first-year salary lands at the 73rd percentile nationally and beats the Kansas median by over $6,000, making K-State the earnings leader among Kansas business programs. The debt load sits at just the 25th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs saddle students with more borrowed money.

The value becomes clearer when you compare across Kansas options. K-State graduates out-earn University of Kansas grads by nearly $5,000 annually while taking on only about $4,000 more debt. Against Pittsburg State, the earnings advantage is over $7,500. This isn't a program squeaking by on marginal metrics—it's demonstrably outperforming its in-state peers where it matters most.

For an accessible state university (79% admission rate), K-State delivers genuinely strong business outcomes. The debt burden equals about 6.5 months of first-year salary, leaving room to save, invest, or pay down loans aggressively. If your student is Kansas-bound and business-focused, this program offers clear financial upside over the alternatives.

Where Kansas State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Kansas State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$54,223	—	$29,705	0.55
University of KansasLawrence	$11,700	$49,339	$60,067	$24,480	0.50
Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg	$8,008	$46,738	$50,671	$23,015	0.49
Bethel College-North NewtonNorth Newton	$34,002	$34,879	—	$27,000	0.77
National Median	—	$47,506	—	$26,000	0.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kansas State University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 31 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.