Kansas State University Salina

What Kansas State University Salina does

Kansas State University Salina is a public university campus specializing in aerospace, aviation, and applied technology education. It originated as Salina College of Technology in 1949 and became part of the Kansas State University system in 1991. The campus is co-located on Salina Regional Airport and operates a second training location at New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.

The portfolio spans degree programs (Professional Pilot, UAS/Drone, Aviation Management, Applied Business & Technology, Professional Aviation), professional and continuing education courses, pre-college dual enrollment, and contracted training for government and industry clients. Teaching infrastructure includes a 30+ aircraft fleet and 20+ UAS platforms, supporting FAA Part 141 pilot training and FAA Part 107 small UAS operations. The campus markets a 98% placement rate and a $65K average starting salary, with capacity for roughly 120 professional pilot seats annually and 4,100+ professionals trained per year across non-degree programs.

Revenue is generated from tuition, flight training fees, professional education courses, and government/industry contracts. Strategic partners include Delta Air Lines (Delta Propel Career Pathway), Endeavor Air, the FAA, FEMA, and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The planned K-AIRES facility (2026) is intended to expand applied AI and UAS research. Leadership is headed by CEO and Dean Dr. Alysia Starkey, appointed in 2018, and the campus employs roughly 79 people.

Name

Kansas State University Salina

Legal name

Kansas State University Salina

Website

https://salina.k-state.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kansas State University Salina is a public university campus specializing in aerospace, aviation, and applied technology education, offering degree programs, professional flight and UAS training, and contracted workforce development for government and industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Salina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition: Standard university tuition and fees for degree-seeking students pursuing bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, graduate certificates, and associate degrees across 25+ programs.
2. Pre-College Dual Enrollment: Reduced tuition rate of $129.81/credit hour for high school students earning college credit. Jump Start programs (Aviation Maintenance, UAS, Applied Business, Applied Cyber) offered at $85/credit hour.
3. Flight Training Fees: Flight training fees for professional pilot degree including aircraft rental, instructor time, and flight lab fees. Students pay for flight hours and training beyond standard tuition.
4. Professional Education Courses: Non-credit professional development and continuing education courses including UAS training ($995 for Part 107), fire/HAZMAT training (~$1,775), law enforcement training, and custom training programs.
5. Aviation Maintenance Certification: 34-week accelerated Aviation Maintenance Certification Program providing FAA-required training for AMT certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kansas State University Salina is a public university campus delivering undergraduate degrees and professional/continuing education in aerospace, aviation, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and applied technology. It provides FAA Part 141-certified flight training, UAS Part 107 and beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations training, aviation maintenance certification, composite repair training, and custom workforce training programs for organizations such as the FAA, FEMA, and Kansas Highway Patrol. The campus is co-located on Salina Regional Airport and operates its own IXD Flight Training Center and Applied Aviation Research Center.

Product overview

Kansas State University Salina is an educational institution offering a portfolio of academic degree programs and professional education/training services. The institution provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace, aviation, and technology fields. Academic programs include Professional Pilot, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Flight and Operations, Aviation Management, Applied Business and Technology, and Professional Aviation degrees. Professional education offerings include Aviation Maintenance certification, UAS training programs (Part 107, law enforcement, public safety, aerial application), Custom Training, and Composite Repair certification. Research facilities include the Applied Aviation Research Center and the planned K-AIRES facility opening in 2026. The institution operates as a platform model where students can progress from pre-college programs through graduate-level education with pathways to professional certifications and career placement services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Pilot Bachelor's Degree Undergraduate degree program preparing students for FAA-certified professional pilot careers, including flight training, ground school, and instrument/commercial certification. Designed for individual students pursuing airline or corporate pilot careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% graduate placement rate within 6 months
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and major.

• Delta Air LinesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerK-State Salina is a select collegiate aviation program in the Delta Air Lines Propel Career Pathway Program. Qualifying students receive Conditional Job Offers to Endeavor Air, Delta's wholly owned regional carrier, with streamlined path to Delta pilot careers. Students must be flight instructing and within 12 months of R-ATP certification.
• CosmospherecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between K-State Salina and the Cosmosphere to elevate aerospace education for youth in Kansas, combining academic training with space science education.
• Salina Regional AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus is located adjacent to Salina Regional Airport providing students access to 12,300-foot primary runway, crosswind and parallel runways for flight training. Partnership enables hands-on classroom to flightline transition.
• New Century AirCenter (IXD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK-State Aviation offers flight training at New Century AirCenter (IXD) in Gardner, Kansas through 14 CFR Part 61 instruction for advanced pilot ratings and FAA Part 141 professional pilot degree program.
• K-AIRESmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansas Aviation Industry REsearch and Entertainment Studio (K-AIRES) planned to open 2026, designed to propel Kansas to forefront of technology entertainment industry with aerospace research and training capabilities.
• Crisis City Training CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining facility used for UAS fire and HAZMAT response scenarios including simulated structure fire, highway accident, and train derailment exercises. Hosts public safety UAS training programs.
• Kansas Highway PatrolcoreTechnology or IntegrationK-State Salina provides UAS training including FLIR and optical zoom sensor operations for Kansas Highway Patrol law enforcement purposes. Training leads to real-world service to citizens.
• K-State Research and ExtensioncoreTechnology or IntegrationDrone Use in Agriculture training partnership reaching over 90 producers from 14 counties and 3 states. K-State Salina provides expertise in UAS technology for agricultural applications.
• FEMAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with FEMA for BVLOS operations and emergency response training. Students gain experience in live exercises and real-world disaster response missions.
• Federal Aviation AdministrationcoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversity maintains multiple Certificates of Authorization (COAs) from FAA for research flights, training activities, and advanced testing beyond standard Part 107 limits.
• High SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner high schools for dual enrollment delivery where pre-college courses are taught at respective high schools, enabling students to earn college credit before graduation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Both are aviation/aerospace-focused universities offering professional pilot, UAS, and aviation management degrees with FAA-approved curricula. Embry-Riddle is the dominant direct competitor with a broader national footprint and brand.
• ATP Flight School: National accelerated flight training school offering FAA Part 141 commercial pilot programs with airline partnerships. Competes head-to-head with K-State Salina's professional pilot degree.
• Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Aviation-focused institution offering pilot, aviation maintenance, and avionics programs. Direct competitor, particularly in professional flight training and AMT certification.
• Purdue University - School of Aviation and Transportation Technology: Top-tier public R1 university with an FAA-approved professional pilot program, UAS/drone operations track, and aviation management degree. Competes for the same student profile and offers similar degree pathways.
• Southern Illinois University - Aviation Flight Program: Public university with FAA Part 141 pilot training and aviation management. Comparable size, public university setting, and Midwest location.
• Florida Institute of Technology - College of Aeronautics: Private university with aviation, pilot, and UAS programs. Comparable in scope (aviation, aerospace, UAS) and student profile (career-focused, hands-on learners).
• University of North Dakota - John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences: Public university with one of the largest aviation programs in the U.S., offering pilot training, UAS/atmospheric sciences, and applied aviation degrees. Direct competitor for FAA Part 141 pilot students.
• Lewis University - School of Aviation, Science, and Technology: Midwest peer institution offering FAA-approved aviation degrees and pilot training. Comparable size, regional focus, and Catholic/affiliated public-private academic model.

Emerging players

• Drone Workforce Solutions / Commercial Drone Training Providers (e.g., Drone U, UAV Coach): Specialized commercial drone training providers offering Part 107 prep, BVLOS readiness, and industry-specific courses. Competes with K-State Salina's professional UAS education arm in the workforce development market.

Broad incumbents

• Embry-Riddle Worldwide / Online Aviation Programs: Online/distance aviation degree programs including professional aviation tracks similar to K-State's online Professional Aviation degree. Competes for working aviation professionals seeking degree completion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kstatesalina
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/KStateSalina
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/k-state-salina
• Instagraminstagram.com/kstatesalina

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Kansas State University Salina