Kansas State University facts for kids
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Former names
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Kansas State Agricultural College (1863–1931) Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (1931–1959) |
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| Motto | "Rule by Obeying Nature's Laws" |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Established | February 16, 1863 |
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Parent institution
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Kansas Board of Regents |
| Accreditation | HLC |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $902.2 million (FY2025) |
| Budget | $1.09 billion (FY2026) |
| President | Richard Linton |
| Provost | Jesse Perez Mendez |
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Academic staff
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1,247 (fall 2025) |
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Total staff
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4,590 (fall 2025) |
| Students | 21,213 (fall 2025) |
| Undergraduates | 16,555 (fall 2025) |
| Postgraduates | 4,658 (fall 2025) |
| Location |
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United States
39°11′29″N 96°34′51″W / 39.1914°N 96.5809°W |
| Campus | Small city, 668 acres (2.70 km2) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | Kansas State Collegian |
| Colors | Royal Purple |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FBS – Big 12 |
| Mascot | Willie the Wildcat |
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Kansas State University is a famous public university in the United States. Many people call it K-State for short. Its main campus is located in the friendly city of Manhattan, Kansas. The school opened its doors all the way back in 1863. It was the very first public college founded in the state of Kansas. The university is well known for teaching science, farming, engineering, and aviation.
K-State is also a special type of school called a land-grant university. Long ago, the United States government gave land to states to help build colleges. These schools focused on teaching useful skills like agriculture and mechanics. Today, thousands of students come from all over the world to learn here. The university has many fun traditions, famous sports teams, and beautiful historic buildings.
Contents
- The Exciting History of Kansas State University
- Exploring the Beautiful Manhattan Campus
- What Can You Learn at Kansas State University?
- Incredible Discoveries and Scientific Research
- Student Life, Housing, and Fun Traditions
- K-State Wildcats Athletics and School Spirit
- Inspiring People of Kansas State University
- Other Campuses Across Kansas
- See Also
The Exciting History of Kansas State University
The story of Kansas State University began during the American Civil War. In 1861, Kansas officially became the 34th state in the nation. Leaders in the new state legislature wanted to build a great place of higher learning. An educator named Isaac Goodnow wanted this school to be in Manhattan, Kansas. He worked hard to turn a small private school called Blue Mont Central College into a big public university.
At first, there was a big disagreement between state leaders. Governor Charles L. Robinson wanted the school to be in the city of Lawrence. He used his veto power to stop the plan for Manhattan. But local leaders did not give up on their dream. On February 16, 1863, the state accepted the donated land in Manhattan. That date marks the official birthday of Kansas State Agricultural College.
When classes started in September 1863, the school welcomed 52 young scholars. Incredibly, exactly 26 were men and 26 were women. This made it only the second public college in America to teach both genders equally. In 1875, the school moved to its current location to have more space. Kansas State also became one of the first schools to teach home economics in 1873.
As time passed, the college grew much larger and taught many new subjects. In 1931, it was renamed the Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science. Later, in 1959, lawmakers changed the name to Kansas State University. A former leader named Milton S. Eisenhower helped bring new ideas about world peace and global citizenship. Today, the university continues to expand its research and help communities across Kansas thrive.
Becoming the First Public University in Kansas
There is an exciting history behind which school came first in Kansas. Kansas State was officially established in Manhattan in early 1863. It began offering real college-level classes right away that same year. By contrast, the University of Kansas did not open until 1866. It only taught high-school level prep classes until 1869. That means Kansas State is truly the oldest public university in the state.
Exploring the Beautiful Manhattan Campus
The main Manhattan campus covers an impressive 668 acres of rolling ground. Walking through campus feels like stepping into a storybook filled with historic castles. The campus has more buildings built before the year 1910 than any other college in Kansas. Many of these halls are constructed from native cream-colored limestone mined right in the state.
The most famous building on campus is called Anderson Hall. Workers built this grand hall in three different stages between 1877 and 1885. It has tall towers and graceful arched windows made of native stone. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. University leaders and administrators have worked inside its historic walls for more than a century.
Another famous spot is Holtz Hall, which was constructed way back in 1876. It is currently the oldest free-standing building standing on the Manhattan grounds. The oldest educational building still used is part of Seaton Hall, built in 1872. Next to it stands Hale Library, a massive center for reading and studying. In 1908, workers constructed Dickens Hall, which today houses math, statistics, and philosophy classes.
Nature can sometimes bring big challenges to the open plains of Kansas. On June 11, 2008, a powerful EF4 tornado struck the city of Manhattan. The strong winds caused more than $20 million in damage to campus buildings. But students, teachers, and neighbors worked together to fix everything quickly. Today, the university features wide walking paths where cars are not allowed, making it very safe for students.
What Can You Learn at Kansas State University?
Kansas State University offers hundreds of exciting subjects for students to explore. The university is organized into nine large colleges. Each college focuses on a specific branch of knowledge and helps students find great careers. Students can earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or even a high-level doctorate.
The university is known for its high level of scientific research. It holds an elite R1 research rating, meaning scientists make world-changing discoveries here. Many students earn prestigious national awards, like the Rhodes Scholarship and the Goldwater Scholarship. The university is also home to respected honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa.
Nine Great Colleges for Curious Minds
- The College of Agriculture: Teaches modern farming, plant care, soil science, and animal raising.
- The College of Architecture, Planning and Design: Prepares students to design amazing buildings, landscapes, and future cities.
- The College of Arts and Sciences: Explores biology, chemistry, history, literature, music, and the arts.
- The College of Business Administration: Teaches young leaders how to start companies and manage money.
- The College of Education: Trains caring teachers who work in elementary, middle, and high schools.
- The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering: Guides future inventors who build bridges, computers, robots, and machines.
- The College of Health and Human Sciences: Focuses on nutrition, healthy living, human development, and wellness.
- The College of Technology and Aviation: Trains airplane pilots, drone operators, and technology experts in Salina, Kansas.
- The College of Veterinary Medicine: Teaches animal doctors how to heal pets, farm animals, and wildlife.
Incredible Discoveries and Scientific Research
Research means asking big questions and doing careful experiments to find the answers. Kansas State researchers work hard every day to solve problems facing our world. They study everything from microscopic bacteria to massive weather patterns across the central plains. Students get to work right alongside professional scientists in high-tech laboratories.
One huge area of study is agriculture and caring for natural grasslands. South of Manhattan lies the Konza Prairie, a giant nature preserve. It covers thousands of acres of native tallgrass prairie protected with The Nature Conservancy. Biologists study how grazing animals like bison and natural prairie fires keep the ecosystem healthy. The university also keeps the beautiful Kansas State University Gardens filled with colorful flowers and trees.
Did you know that K-State scientists helped invent technology for eye surgery? Researchers here worked on the special excimer laser tool. That invention helped make LASIK eye surgery possible for millions of patients. Scientists here also run the Biosecurity Research Institute inside Pat Roberts Hall. In this secure building, experts study plant and animal diseases to keep our food safe.
Pioneering Radio and Television Inventions
Kansas State was one of the earliest pioneers in modern communication technology. Back in 1912, the school operated an experimental radio station called 9YV. It transmitted messages across the plains using tapping sounds called Morse code. In that year, it became the very first radio station in America to broadcast daily weather reports.
Later, the university launched its famous AM radio station known as KSAC in 1924. Farmers all across Kansas tuned in to hear farm news, weather, and lectures. In 1932, K-State also earned a license for an experimental television station called W9XAK. In 1939, this station broadcast a football game between Kansas State and Nebraska. That was only the second time in human history that a college football game appeared on television.
Student Life, Housing, and Fun Traditions
Going to college is about much more than just sitting in lecture halls. It is a time to make lifelong friends, try new hobbies, and learn independence. More than 20,000 students attend classes at Kansas State University. They come from different backgrounds, different states, and dozens of foreign countries across the globe.
Students can join more than 400 different student clubs and organizations. There are clubs for robotics, chess, astronomy, gardening, outdoor hiking, and creative writing. Many students also join fraternities and sororities to do volunteer charity work in the community. Students run their own radio station called KSDB-FM "Wildcat 91.9" and publish a daily newspaper called the Kansas State Collegian.
Living on Campus
New students usually live in on-campus residence halls. These large buildings have dorm rooms, dining halls, game rooms, and quiet study lounges. Some famous halls include Goodnow Hall, Marlatt Hall, Putnam Hall, and modern Wefald Hall. Students eat together, study for exams in groups, and participate in fun floor competitions. Every student promises to follow an academic honor code to always be honest in their schoolwork.
Art and Culture on Campus
There is always something creative happening around the Manhattan campus. The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art displays paintings, sculptures, and modern art prints. Kids love visiting the K-State Insect Zoo, where you can see live spiders, beetles, and ant colonies up close. At McCain Auditorium, families can watch touring Broadway musical shows, orchestral concerts, and modern dance recities.
Over many decades, famous world leaders have visited K-State to speak with students. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. visited the campus to deliver an inspiring speech. Famous science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke also visited to share his visionary ideas about space travel. These visits helped broaden the minds of students and local community members alike.
K-State Wildcats Athletics and School Spirit
Sports are a massive part of the exciting culture at Kansas State University. The athletic teams are proudly called the Wildcats. K-State competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big 12 Conference. Students and fans wear bright purple shirts to games and cheer loudly for their teams.
Kansas State is very unusual because it has only one official school color: Royal Purple. Most other universities pick two or three colors, but K-State keeps it simple and bold. Fans sometimes add white or silver to their game day clothes. The famous athletic logo is called the "Powercat", which shows the profile of a fierce wildcat head. The beloved school mascot is Willie the Wildcat, who pumps up the crowd at games.
Wildcat teams compete in many popular sports:
- Football: Played inside the huge Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.
- Basketball: Played on the court inside Bramlage Coliseum.
- Baseball and Women's Softball: Spring sports played on modern diamond fields.
- Track and field: Running, high jumping, long jumping, and throwing events.
- Cross country running: Long-distance running races across grass and trails.
- Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Rowing, Tennis, and Golf.
Breaking Barriers in Sports History
Kansas State athletics helped lead the way toward fairness and equality in college sports. In 1949, a brave player named Harold Robinson joined the football team. He was the first African-American athlete in decades to play in the conference, earning a full athletic scholarship. Soon after, in 1951, a talented player named Earl Woods broke the conference color barrier in baseball. In 1952, Gene Wilson did the exact same thing on the basketball court for K-State. These brave athletes opened doors for generations of young athletes who followed them.
Inspiring People of Kansas State University
Many incredible people have taught or studied at Kansas State University since 1863. Former graduates are called alumni, and they have made great impacts on our world. Some have flown into outer space, while others have governed states or created famous companies.
Famous Graduates
- Sam Brownback: Served the public as the 46th Governor of Kansas and as a United States Senator.
- Pat Roberts and Roger Marshall: Leaders who represented the state of Kansas in the United States Senate.
- De E. Beeler: An aeronautical pioneer who served as a top flight director for NASA.
- Geraldine L. Richmond: A world-famous chemist who won the prestigious National Medal of Science.
- Earl Woods: A record-setting college baseball player and the father of legendary golfer Tiger Woods.
Dedicated Teachers and Professors
- Benjamin Franklin Mudge: A famous early geologist and paleontologist who collected rare fossils across Kansas.
- Fred Albert Shannon: A talented historian who won the famous Pulitzer Prize for History while teaching at K-State.
- Michael Wesch: A creative anthropology teacher named the national Professor of the Year in 2008 for his innovative digital projects.
- Naomi B. Lynn: A professor who later became the first Hispanic female president of an American public university.
Other Campuses Across Kansas
While the main campus is in Manhattan, Kansas State has expanded to other cities. In Salina, Kansas, you can visit the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. This campus is heaven for kids who dream of flying airplanes or working with modern robots. Students can earn pilot licenses, learn how to repair jet engines, and fly unmanned aerial drones.
Farther east, in the Kansas City area, sits the K-State Olathe campus. This modern campus focuses on high-level graduate studies, food safety, and animal medicine. Scientists in Olathe work closely with major biotechnology companies to invent healthier foods and protect pets from illness. Together, these different locations allow K-State to serve students and families all across the state of Kansas.
See Also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Kansas para niños
