Kansas State University is the No. 1 spot in the nation for having the friendliest students, according to the Princeton Review, an educational services company that helps prepare students for college.
The institution was the only Kansas school out of 25 on the 2025 list, which is “based on how strongly students agree that their fellow students are extremely friendly,” the company stated.
Having the friendliest students isn’t the only accolade the school has received. It came in No. 2 for happiest students, best quality of life, town-gown relations and best student support and counseling services, 2025 national rankings show.
The organization ranks colleges across the country on other areas, such as academics/ administration, quality of life, politics, campus life, town life, extracurricular activities, and social scene, according to its website.
“We see that Wildcat, and know we’re part of the same family,” one student said in a survey. “This is a big school with a small-town feel, and everyone is exceedingly friendly and proud of the university.”
Another student said: “Many students who grew up on a farm or other rural areas all contribute to a wonderful community mindset. The university instills this very real feeling of belonging and family known as the Wildcat Way.”
K-State is located in Manhattan, roughly a two-hour drive northeast of Wichita. With a 2024 enrollment of 20,295, the university is known for its agricultural programs, engineering programs and vibrant campus life.
