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University of Kansas

Public

Lawrence, KS

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The University of Kansas enrolled its first class of 55 students in 1866. It is one of 38 public universities holding membership in the Association of American Universities. Beyond its main campus in Lawrence, KU operates additional locations in Wichita and Salina, including its School of Medicine, giving the university a presence across multiple parts of the state.

Admissions

Admit rate93%
SAT range1070–1300
ACT range20–28
Undergrads21,217
Yield (admits who enroll)31%
Next deadlineRolling admission

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$26,751
4-year grad rate69%
Median earnings, 10yr out$61,945

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against University of Kansas's numbers?

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How University of Kansas weighs your application

From University of Kansas's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordNot considered
Class rankNot considered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayNot considered
RecommendationsNot considered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesNot considered
Talent/abilityNot considered
Character/personal qualitiesNot considered
First generationNot considered
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workNot considered
Work experienceNot considered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans37%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out66%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Architecture and Related Services
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation$66,286/yr
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$81,568/yr
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology$65,861/yr
Biology, General$61,561/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$107,635/yr
Management Information Systems and Services$87,704/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$86,453/yr
Accounting and Related Services$84,736/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$77,725/yr
Marketing$70,404/yr
Business/Commerce, General$68,572/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Journalism$62,394/yr
Communication and Media Studies$60,258/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$92,008/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$52,106/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$50,434/yr
Engineering
Computer Engineering$113,339/yr
Petroleum Engineering$97,527/yr
Chemical Engineering$93,391/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$92,335/yr
Civil Engineering$89,087/yr
Architectural Engineering$84,319/yr
Mechanical Engineering$82,934/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$46,464/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration$125,384/yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$78,601/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$59,436/yr
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$57,252/yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$53,864/yr
History
History$58,936/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$58,777/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$64,905/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Human Biology$70,399/yr
Behavioral Sciences$58,883/yr
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$54,687/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$62,876/yr
Physical Sciences
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$61,838/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$55,329/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work$55,582/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$69,084/yr
Political Science and Government$61,839/yr
Sociology$48,146/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$59,441/yr
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$41,191/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$38,355/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity5,488
Typical room charge$6,222
Typical board charge$3,914

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankNot considered
RecommendationsNot considered

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does University of Kansas look for in applicants?

Per University of Kansas's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is University of Kansas's acceptance rate?

University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS admits approximately 93% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for University of Kansas?

Admitted students at University of Kansas typically score between 1070–1300 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for University of Kansas?

Admitted students at University of Kansas typically score between 20–28 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does University of Kansas cost?

University of Kansas's total cost of attendance is reported at $26,751 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

Does University of Kansas require students to live on campus?

No -- University of Kansas doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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