Texas Tech Red Raiders just proved their dominance with a 61-57 win against Kansas State on January 15, 2025. The Red Raiders show strong performance this season at 12-4, while Kansas State struggles through a four-game losing streak in their Kansas State University vs Texas Tech rivalry.
The battle between these Big 12 universities goes far beyond basketball courts. Texas Tech stands out with 40,773 students and graduates earning $58,500 after 10 years – beating Kansas State’s $49,700 graduate earnings.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about both universities – from sports success to academic programs to future job prospects. You’ll see exactly how these schools stack up against each other in 2025.
Head-to-Head Athletic Performance
Texas Tech and Kansas State share a fierce basketball rivalry since 1956. The Red Raiders hold a slight edge with 26 wins against Kansas State’s 25 losses all-time.
The Red Raiders show their strength this season, sitting second in the Big 12 with a 15-5 conference record. Their offense puts up 81.1 points per game, good for tied-31st across all teams.
Texas Tech keeps getting better against the Wildcats, winning their last three matchups. The Red Raiders really shine at home, building a strong 17-7 record against Kansas State.
Football tells a different story. Kansas State leads with 15 wins to Texas Tech’s 9. The Wildcats protect their home field well, holding an 8-2 record against the Red Raiders. They’ve also built an eight-game winning streak in football since 2016.
The latest basketball game showed each team’s style. Texas Tech scored 40 points in the paint, while Kansas State’s defense held them to a season-low 61 points – way below their usual 85.6 average.
Women’s basketball adds to the rivalry too. Texas Tech grabbed a close 57-53 win in the 2025 Big 12 Championship, thanks to big plays from Bailey Maupin and Kilah Freelon.
Looking at games since 2017, Texas Tech wins 73.3% of basketball matchups and hasn’t lost at home. The scoring stays close though – Texas Tech averages 65.1 points to Kansas State’s 61.6.
Academic Program Strengths: Kansas State University VS Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration leads with strong programs in accounting, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and health care administration. The results speak for themselves – 90.8% of graduates secure jobs within three months.
The university ranks No. 66 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Online Programs. Texas Tech stands out for veteran education with top rankings:
- No. 19 for Best Online Master’s in Business Programs for Veterans
- No. 23 for Best Online MBA for Veterans
- No. 34 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
Kansas State shines in agriculture, education, and engineering programs. Students get more personal attention here with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, better than Texas Tech’s 21:1.
Money matters show clear differences. Texas Tech graduates pull in $58,500 yearly after ten years, while Kansas State alumni make $49,700. Both schools’ graduates pay similar student loans – about $232 monthly.
Business tops the major list at both schools. Texas Tech sees 23% of students choosing business and 10% picking engineering. Kansas State spreads wider – 17% in business, 12% in agriculture, and 9% each in engineering and education.
Texas Tech’s engineering programs stand tall through their Innovation Hub at Research Park. Students pick from 80+ online degrees and certificates. Both schools hold the highest research status in Carnegie Classification, showing their dedication to pushing knowledge forward.
Student Life and Campus Culture
Texas Tech’s Lubbock campus houses 40,773 students and 1,566 faculty members. Kansas State takes a smaller approach in Manhattan with 19,745 students and 905 faculty members.
Kansas State runs three campuses – Manhattan, Salina, and Olathe. Their main Manhattan campus dates back to 1863. Texas Tech spreads wider with 26 locations across 22 cities.
Student housing shows each school’s community focus. Kansas State ranks No. 8 for residence halls in Princeton Review’s “The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition”. They offer ten residence halls plus apartments and special housing. Texas Tech fits 8,069 students in dorms, though just 25% live on campus.
Student groups thrive at both schools. Texas Tech runs 516+ clubs covering everything from academics to culture. Kansas State keeps up with 400+ organizations.
Greek life shapes Texas Tech’s social scene. About 13% of men join fraternities and 16% of women pick sororities. The Student Union Building buzzes with restaurants, coffee spots, and meeting areas.
Kansas State puts student support first with programs like:
- Cats’ Cupboard for food and essentials
- Powercat Financial for money help
- Counseling and Psychological Services
Texas Tech’s student mix breaks down to:
- 30% Hispanic or Latino students
- 53% White students
- 6% Black or African American students
Quick Comparison: Texas Tech vs Kansas State
| Category | Texas Tech | Kansas State |
| Enrollment & Faculty | ||
| Total Students | 40,773 | 19,745 |
| Faculty Members | 1,566 | 905 |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 21:1 | 18:1 |
| Athletics Performance | ||
| Basketball All-Time Record | 26 wins | 25 losses |
| Football Head-to-Head | 9 wins | 15 wins |
| Current Basketball Points/Game | 81.1 | Not mentioned |
| Academic Outcomes | ||
| Median Salary (after 10 years) | $58,500 | $49,700 |
| Monthly Student Loan Payment | $232 | $232 |
| Most Popular Major | Business (23%) | Business (17%) |
| Campus Life | ||
| Number of Student Organizations | 516+ | 400+ |
| Greek Life Participation | 13% men, 16% women | Not mentioned |
| Campus Locations | 26 locations in 22 cities | 3 campuses |
| On-Campus Housing Rate | 25% | Not mentioned |
| Rankings & Recognition | ||
| Online Programs Ranking (2025) | #66 nationally | Not mentioned |
| Research Classification | Very high research activity | Very high research activity |
The Final Score: Texas Tech vs Kansas State
Kansas State and Texas Tech excel in different areas. Texas Tech rules basketball courts while Kansas State owns football fields.
Texas Tech pulls ahead with money matters. Their graduates make $9,000 more yearly than Kansas State alumni. The business programs really shine – 90.8% of graduates land jobs within three months.
Each school offers something special. Texas Tech gives you:
- A big campus with 516+ student groups
- Strong online programs for veterans
- Higher graduate salaries
- More campus locations
Kansas State stands out with:
- Smaller class sizes
- Top-rated dorms
- Strong agriculture programs
- Personal attention from professors
Your best choice comes down to what you want. Pick Texas Tech for a bigger school with more options and better job prospects. Choose Kansas State for closer student-teacher connections and strong specialized programs. Both schools rank as serious research universities, each making their mark in the Big 12.
