College of Architecture, Planning, & Design // K-State

What College of Architecture, Planning, & Design // K-State does

The College of Architecture, Planning, & Design (APDesign) is a constituent college of Kansas State University, a public land-grant institution in Manhattan, Kansas. The college delivers nine accredited professional degree programs spanning architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, regional and community planning, community development, real estate and community development, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Design & Planning, serving approximately 912 students across undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral tracks.

The college's core technology stack integrates interdisciplinary design education with state-of-the-art fabrication and digital tools housed in LEED Silver Certified Seaton and Regnier Halls. Facilities include a Fabrication Lab equipped with CNC milling machinery, a 3D Printing Lab, a Materials Lab, a Tech-Rich Computer Lab, and the 6,500-square-foot Paul Weigel Library of Architecture, Planning and Design, which carries 90+ years of domain-specific collection heritage. Faculty-led research covers parametric and algorithmic modeling, computer vision, augmented and virtual reality for design visualization, and digital fabrication, which are incorporated into coursework rather than sold as standalone products.

APDesign's revenue model is tuition-based, governed by Kansas Board of Regents pricing for Kansas State University, with graduate coursework priced approximately $100 higher per credit hour than undergraduate. The college supplements tuition through private philanthropy and sponsored industry research, awarding over $1,000,000 annually in scholarships. Customer segments include high school graduates (average admitted GPA 3.75), transfer students, bachelor's degree holders pursuing post-baccalaureate accelerated paths, and working professionals in the online MS in Community Development delivered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance. The college distributes its educational services primarily through the Manhattan campus and a Kansas City Design Center extension site, with online programs extending reach nationally. Five professional accreditations (NAAB, CIDA, NASAD, LAAB, PAB) anchor the go-to-market, since they are prerequisites for graduates to pursue licensure in their respective fields.

Name

College of Architecture, Planning, & Design // K-State

Legal name

Kansas State University

Website

https://apdesign.k-state.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APDesign is the College of Architecture, Planning, & Design at Kansas State University, offering nine NAAB-, CIDA-, NASAD-, LAAB-, and PAB-accredited degree programs in architecture, planning, interior architecture, industrial design, and landscape architecture to approximately 912 students on its Manhattan, Kansas campus and Kansas City extension.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture & Design Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Architecture Schools (within Arts & Design institutions) (EDAHAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

Keywords

• Architecture education programs
• Design higher education
• Landscape architecture degrees
• Urban planning programs
• Interior design education

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan, Kansas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: As a public university college, APDesign generates primary revenue through tuition and fees charged to students. Graduate coursework costs approximately $100 more per credit hour than undergraduate coursework.
2. Scholarships and Financial Aid: College awards over $1,000,000 in college, departmental, and education abroad scholarships annually to students demonstrating academic achievement and personal excellence.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

APDesign delivers accredited professional and post-baccalaureate degree programs in architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, regional and community planning, and community development. The college combines studio-based classroom instruction with hands-on fabrication facilities, a specialized library, and the Kansas City Design Center extension studio to prepare students for licensure and professional practice in design disciplines.

Product overview

APDesign offers a comprehensive portfolio of accredited degree programs in architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, landscape architecture, regional and community planning, and community development. Programs include 5-year non-baccalaureate master's degrees, post-baccalaureate 2-3 year accelerated pathways, online graduate options, undergraduate degrees, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning. The college provides state-of-the-art facilities including a Fabrication Lab with CNC milling equipment, 3D Printing Lab, Materials Lab, Tech-Rich Computer Lab, and the Paul Weigel Library. The Kansas City Design Center offers real-world project experience while APDPro provides professional development. Community engagement is facilitated through various research initiatives and the college maintains accreditations from NAAB, CIDA, NASAD, LAAB, and PAB.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Architecture (5-year) STEM-designated 5-year professional degree program in Architecture preparing students for architectural licensure through practice-based studio instruction with NAAB accreditation.
• Master of Architecture (Post-Baccalaureate) Accelerated 3-year pathway for students with bachelor's degrees in any field to become licensed architects, with optional Kansas City Design Center studio year.
• Master of Science in Architecture Post-professional research degree requiring 30 semester credit hours for specialized study in Design Theory and Ecological and Sustainable Design.
• Master of Industrial Design (5-year) 5-year professional degree program preparing students to create products through prototyping, industry partnerships, and creative startup studio experiences.
• Master of Industrial Design (Post-Baccalaureate) 3-year-plus-summer professional graduate degree track for students with prior bachelor's degrees in non-design fields.
• Bachelor of Science in Interior Design 4-year CIDA and NASAD accredited degree preparing students for NCIDQ Exam eligibility, focusing on sustainable and evidence-based interior design.
• Master of Landscape Architecture (5-year) 5-year LAAB-accredited degree preparing graduates to design landscapes connecting people to the natural world through ecological and societal integration.
• Master of Landscape Architecture (Post-Baccalaureate) 3-year-plus-summer post-baccalaureate pathway for students with bachelor's degrees in other fields, with a 2-year option for BLA holders.
• Master of Regional & Community Planning (5-year) 5-year PAB-accredited degree preparing planners to remake cities and ensure communities meet challenges through strategic visioning.
• Master of Regional & Community Planning (Post-Baccalaureate) 2-year post-baccalaureate rapid path into the planning profession for students with bachelor's degrees in other fields.
• Master of Science in Community Development (Online) 36 credit hour online collaborative inter-institutional degree promoting participative democracy, sustainable development, and social justice in community development practice.
• Graduate Certificate in Community Development 12 credit hour online graduate certificate for working professionals expanding knowledge of community planning and development processes.
• Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Community Development 120 credit hour joint program between APDesign and the College of Business bridging community development and real estate for the built environment.
• Ph.D. in Environmental Design & Planning 4-year interdisciplinary research-based degree drawing from all three departments, preparing graduates to teach at the graduate level and conduct research.
• Kansas City Design Center Year-long interdisciplinary design studio at the Kansas City extension site tackling real-world issues in the Kansas City metropolitan area for graduate architecture students.
• Minor in Industrial Design 15-credit-hour minor enabling students in other majors to gain fundamental competencies of Industrial Design.
• Minor in Community Planning 15-credit-hour minor for students seeking to expand knowledge of community planning and development processes.
• APDPro Professional Development Program Professional development program offering workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities to enhance student career competitiveness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of graduates employed within 6 months of graduation (2021 Graduates)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and moderate.

• PopulousflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopulous was recognized as APDesign's 2026 Firm of the Year, acknowledging the firm's significant contributions to the architecture and design profession and its engagement with the college community.
• Kansas City Design Center (KCDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansas City Design Center is a collaborative extension of APDesign offering year-long interdisciplinary design studio experiences tackling real-world issues in Kansas City's metropolitan area. The college was awarded funding to expand the Kansas City Urban Design Collective.
• OFS/CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing industry collaboration for production furniture design. Faculty members Neal Hubbell and Kendra Kirchmer work with OFS/Carolina on furniture prototyping and contract market products.
• Sloan Valve CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year academia-industry collaboration with Sloan Valve Company, sponsored by MCAA (Mechanical Contractors Association of America). Faculty member Mekin Elcioglu leads the partnership exploring sustainable design solutions.
• National Parks ServicemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Historic Preservation Fund Grants including survey of Post-War Modernist Architecture in Manhattan, Kansas. Faculty members Michael Grogan, Chris Fein, and Kory Beighle conduct historic preservation research.
• Manhattan Area Habitat for HumanitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Net Positive Studio projects including affordable housing initiatives in Ogden, KS and St. John, KS. Partnership combines sustainable design with community development.
• Great Plains Interactive Distance Education AlliancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaborative inter-institutional partnership enabling online delivery of the Master of Science in Community Development degree program across multiple institutions.
• Kansas State University in ItalymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Inje University for global academic exchange. K-State in Italy hosted AACUPI Annual Meeting in Orvieto for international academic collaboration.
• Mattie Rhodes CentermoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for Net Positive affordable housing projects and cultural engagement in Kansas City, Missouri.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Leading private art and design school specializing in architecture, interior design, and industrial design; competes for top applicants and industry visibility despite different funding model.

Direct peers

• University of Oregon College of Design: Public university design school with accredited architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and product design programs; similar interdisciplinary structure and sustainability emphasis.
• University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture: Public flagship architecture school offering accredited degrees across architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning with similar interdisciplinary structure and STEM-designated programs.
• Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture: Chicago-based architecture college with deep Mies van der Rohe heritage, NAAB-accredited programs, and strong industry placement in Midwest design firms; comparable scope and regional pull.
• Virginia Tech School of Architecture: Public university architecture school consistently ranked by DesignIntelligence, with parallel programs in architecture, industrial design, landscape architecture, and urban planning; very comparable structure.
• Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture: Top-ranked US architecture school with strong design computing, fabrication, and industrial design integration; comparable interdisciplinary model and emphasis on digital/parametric practice.
• University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning: Public university design college with parallel NAAB, CIDA, NASAD, and PAB accredited programs and a co-op model producing strong graduate employment outcomes.
• Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning: Ivy League college combining architecture, art, and planning with strong accredited programs and DesignIntelligence national rankings; comparable scope across multiple design disciplines.
• University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design: Public Big 12 architecture and design school in Lawrence, KS; the closest geographic peer and direct competitor for Kansas-based design students, faculty, and employer recruiting.
• University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning: Public R1 university architecture and planning school offering NAAB and PAB accredited degrees with strong industry placement; similar accredited portfolio and career outcomes emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kstate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/kansasstate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kstate-apdesign

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about College of Architecture, Planning, & Design // K-State