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University of Kansas

Univ of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas 66045

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Campus Vibe

Large UniversityUrbanPublicBusiness Focus

Known for business — excellent value

University of Kansas is a public institution in Lawrence with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1186, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 19.9K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $61,945 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,365.

Established
1865
Motto
Videbo visionem hanc magnam quare non comburatur rubus
Mascot
Big JayBaby JayJay Doc (Medical Center)
Type
Public research university
Conference
American Collegiate Hockey Association
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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88%Acceptance
1186SAT Avg
19,857Students
17:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$61,945Earnings 10yr
$17,365Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

University of Kansas Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate88.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1186

Reading & WritingMid: 605
530650
MathMid: 605
520640

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
2127

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

88.2%

Trend

SAT Avg

1186

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,700
Tuition (out-of-state)$29,412
Room & Board$10,818
Books & Supplies$1,224
Total Cost of Attendance$25,215
Average Net Price$17,365
Median Debt at Graduation$21,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$223

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,908
$30–48K$12,702
$48–75K$16,097
$75–110K$20,649
$110K+$21,310

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

62.6%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

152

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

39

Burglary

8

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

13

Motor Vehicle Theft

16

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

40

Drug Arrests

30

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (290)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Mixed
  • 85% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
19,857
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
22%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 69%
Black 4%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 6%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate68.8%
Freshman Retention85.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$51,217
10 Years$61,945

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#143
vs 2024
Forbes
#165
1
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
2
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#367
1
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Kansas Jayhawks

BasketballIndoor trackOutdoor trackCross countryBasketball tournamentSoccerHockeySoccer competesAthletics at

History & Fun Facts

  • History Main article: History of the University of Kansas On February 20, 1863, Kansas Governor Thomas Carney signed into law a bill creating the state university in Lawrence.
  • On November 2, 1863, Governor Carney announced Lawrence had met the conditions to get into the state university, and the following year the university was officially organized.
  • The school's Board of Regents held its first meeting in March 1865, which is the event that KU dates its founding from.
  • Work on the first college building began later that year.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City37 mi
STL St Louis263 mi
OKC Oklahoma City278 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1285 mi · ~37h 7m drive
New York, NY1131 mi · ~32h 40m drive
Hartford, CT1201 mi · ~34h 42m drive
Providence, RI1266 mi · ~36h 34m drive
Albany, NY1149 mi · ~33h 12m drive
Syracuse, NY1033 mi · ~29h 51m drive
Rochester, NY962 mi · ~27h 47m drive
Buffalo, NY895 mi · ~25h 51m drive
Philadelphia, PA1071 mi · ~30h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA816 mi · ~23h 34m drive
Harrisburg, PA980 mi · ~28h 19m drive
Newark, NJ1122 mi · ~32h 25m drive
Washington, DC977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Baltimore, MD997 mi · ~28h 48m drive
Atlanta, GA703 mi · ~20h 19m drive
Charlotte, NC834 mi · ~24h 6m drive
Raleigh, NC937 mi · ~27h 4m drive
Miami, FL1263 mi · ~36h 29m drive
Orlando, FL1071 mi · ~30h 56m drive
Tampa, FL1057 mi · ~30h 32m drive
Nashville, TN502 mi · ~14h 30m drive
New Orleans, LA688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Richmond, VA970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Chicago, IL448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Detroit, MI680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Minneapolis, MN428 mi · ~12h 22m drive
St. Louis, MO273 mi · ~7h 53m drive
Kansas City, MO37 mi · ~1h 4m drive
Indianapolis, IN489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
Columbus, OH657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Cleveland, OH735 mi · ~21h 14m drive
Milwaukee, WI475 mi · ~13h 43m drive
Dallas, TX436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Houston, TX636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
Austin, TX617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX684 mi · ~19h 46m drive
Los Angeles, CA1317 mi · ~38h 3m drive
San Francisco, CA1469 mi · ~42h 26m drive
San Diego, CA1297 mi · ~37h 28m drive
Seattle, WA1478 mi · ~42h 42m drive
Portland, OR1466 mi · ~42h 21m drive
Denver, CO523 mi · ~15h 7m drive
Phoenix, AZ1010 mi · ~29h 11m drive
Salt Lake City, UT890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
Honolulu, HI3857 mi · ~111h 25m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Kansas City (MCI)37 miles
Rental car
56 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
74 min$44-74
St Louis (STL)263 miles
Rental car
395 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
526 min$316-526

Deadline Calendar

University of Kansas Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

University of Kansas — v2 Preview — TourStack