Acceptance Rate
93%
Avg. SAT
1300
75th percentile
“Flagship public where Rock Chalk chants echo across Mount Oread and Jayhawk basketball reigns in lively Lawrence.”
Lawrence, KS
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
The University of Kansas traces its roots to 1865, when it became the first university chartered by the Kansas Territory just months after statehood, setting a foundation for accessible higher education on the frontier. Students who thrive here often embrace school spirit, Midwestern friendliness, and a balance of academics with athletics, fitting into a community that values tradition alongside personal growth. The campus personality mixes earnest intellectualism with raucous game-day energy, though its size means you'll navigate crowds and less individualized attention than at smaller schools. Lawrence, the surrounding college town, buzzes with independent music venues, coffee shops, and a creative arts scene, but expect a quieter pace outside football and basketball weekends, with cold winters and humid summers as typical tradeoffs.
Photo Gallery
+5
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
KU shines in pharmacy, where its School of Pharmacy offers hands-on clinical training from the first year, journalism through the storied William Allen White School, and engineering programs tied to real-world research in aerospace and bioengineering. In classrooms, you'll encounter a mix of mid-sized lectures for introductory courses and smaller seminars upperclassmen, with faculty who prioritize undergraduate teaching amid research duties. Research opportunities abound for motivated students, especially in health sciences and social sciences, but popular majors like business can fill quickly, requiring solid grades to switch in. The intellectual culture rewards curiosity, though large class sizes in gen eds mean less discussion early on.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
22,085 undergrad • 7,707 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
66%
Black / African American
4%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
Asian
6%
Other / Multi-racial
14%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Lawrence, KS
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses around Jayhawk basketball and football, where the Rock Chalk chant unites thousands at Allen Fieldhouse, one of college hoops' holiest sites. A typical week blends study sessions in dorms, club meetings, and evenings at off-campus bars or live shows in Lawrence, with Greek life drawing about 20% of students for structured social bonds. Residential options range from traditional dorms to living-learning communities focused on sustainability or global awareness, fostering quick friendships but with housing lotteries that prioritize upperclassmen. The vibe feels welcoming yet spirited, though the sprawling campus requires biking or busing, and the party scene skews toward game days rather than nightly ragers. Winters bring snow delays, but mild springs invite outdoor tailgates and lake picnics.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big 12 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
86%
4 Years Graduation Rate
54%
6 Years Graduation Rate
68%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$61,945
86% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Kansas and return in the fall. 54% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 68% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
54%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
31%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$10,092
Acceptance
93%
Undergrads
22,085
4-Year Grad Rate
54%
Endowment
$2.4B
Lawrence, KS 66045
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