Emporia State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Emporia State University · Emporia, Kansas · Public · Open access
Ranked #84 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest; Business Programs #390 (tie), Nursing #506 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Is Emporia State a reach, target or safety for your student?
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Emporia State is a public university in Emporia, Kansas that admits about 98% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $16,261 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Emporia State is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. For the most recent reporting cycle, Emporia State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 98%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1120. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,261 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Emporia State?
Emporia State has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
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SAT and ACT scores Emporia State typically admits
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–24. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does Emporia State actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,106 for in-state students and $15,419 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,950 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,261 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $16,261 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Emporia State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Emporia State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Across all programs, Emporia State confers roughly 500 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods program report a median income of about $47,669 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 143 | $47,669 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 86 | $70,173 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 76 | $46,340 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 60 | $63,189 |
| Psychology, General | 49 | $50,193 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 33 | $44,658 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 32 | $72,650 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 21 | $42,347 |
Is Emporia State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Emporia State disclosed 5 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Emporia State
Common questions parents ask about Emporia State
What GPA do I need for Emporia State?
Emporia State has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Emporia State typically admit?
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–24.
How much does Emporia State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Emporia State after grants and scholarships is $16,261 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,106 and $15,419 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Emporia State realistic for my child?
Emporia State admits 98% of applicants, so 18–24 ACT is target range and below 18 is a reach. Then check the $16,261 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Emporia State?
Emporia State accepts about 98% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Emporia State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Emporia State is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas.
What are the most popular majors at Emporia State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Emporia State by annual graduates are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. The school awards about 500 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Emporia State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Emporia State reported 5 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers