Kansas State University opened in 1863 as the country's first operational land-grant university. Originally named the Kansas State Agricultural College, the university was tasked with teaching agriculture, science, military and engineering, which opened educational access and opportunity to all.      

 

The Morrill Act of 1862 outlined the mission of land-grant universities: “To foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community,” according to the K-State History and Traditions website. 

​

Today, the College of Agriculture aims to fulfill its original mission while promoting the vision as a next-generation land-grant university.

​

College of Agriculture Today 

In Fall, 2023, the K-State College of Agriculture earned two notable recognitions and rankings. The College of Agriculture was named the sixth-best college in the nation for agricultural science, according to Niche.com. The department of animal sciences and industry was ranked the best in the nation for animal science studies by CollegeRaptor.

​

“The college takes great pride in these recognitions. We know we have excellent programs, faculty and facilities here at K-State. These rankings help us promote the College of Ag to prospective students,” says Deana Core, assistant dean of student recruitment.

The College of Agriculture’s current enrollment is 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students on campus and online. Of the 2,400 students, 1,600 account for undergraduate students on the Manhattan campus. A group of  133 faculty and staff teach these students across 16 majors and programs. 

​

“Our enrollment is trending upward and increasing while we strategically match our goals with the university’s goals,” Core says. 

Students come from across the country and world to join the College of Agriculture. Currently, the college has 497 non-resident students from 49 states (the only state not represented is Maine). Using the Global Campus, the College of Agriculture can reach students in countries that include China, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, India and Korea. 

​

Compared to other colleges on the K-State campus, the College of Agriculture tends to have lower undergraduate international enrollment, though the college currently has 16 international students enrolled for the fall of 2023. 

“COVID-19 has undoubtedly had an impact on international student enrollment,” Core says. 

​

“For example, in 2011, there were 150 undergrads in agriculture from China enrolled and several more countries represented, mostly in Central and South America,” she says. 

​

Core said that Kansas resident and non-resident enrollment has steadily declined recently.  The decline can be attributed to a strong economy creating more jobs for graduating high school students, opportunities to take a gap year and many pursuing apprentice and technical training. 

​

“There is also competition from other universities who are all hoping to recruit students from a shrinking population of high school graduates in Kansas. The enrollment cliff is real,” Core says. 

​

However, the College of Agriculture awards $2.3 million in scholarships annually and with a new university tuition program, Core says enrollment opportunities are optimistic for the future. 

​

Core adds that despite declines, the College of Agriculture is seeing an increase in first-generation students, with 22.9% identifying as first-generation. 

​

 “We are optimistic for the future of the College of Agriculture here at K-State. We already know we have amazing programs and faculty and our graduates are in demand by industry employers. With the current innovation and infrastructure improvement projects now underway, we will be able to showcase our college in a modern way,” Core says.