University of Kansas Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas, with about 21,217 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 93.48% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $61,945 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $12,102
- 2024 Average Net Price: $18,059 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 93.48% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 21,217 92.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 68.81%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 22.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 5.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 77.9%
- Average SAT Score: 1190
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,656
- Applicants (IPEDS): 19,226
- Room & Board: $11,358 annual estimate
University of Kansas: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Kansas, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Kansas?
University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (ZIP 66045).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is University of Kansas public or private?
University of Kansas is a Public institution.
How much does University of Kansas cost?
Published tuition: $12,102 in-state, $30,432 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $18,059.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,544 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,942 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,154 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,169 |
| $110,001+ | $22,544 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $48,408.
How hard is it to get into University of Kansas?
Admission rate: 93.48%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1190 and midpoint ACT 25.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Kansas?
Total enrollment: 21,217 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 23,656 students.
Graduate enrollment: 7,707 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kansas?
150%-time completion rate: 68.81%.
First-year retention: 86.5%.
What do graduates of University of Kansas earn?
Median earnings: $51,217 six years after entry; $61,945 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,000.
20.47% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Kansas known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (354 completions)
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (292 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (285 completions)
- Social Work (265 completions)
- Accounting (216 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (202 completions)
- Medicine (200 completions)
- Journalism (190 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (187 completions)
- Pharmacy (182 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Kansas a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 93.48%; completion rate 68.81%; median earnings $61,945 at 10 years; net price $18,059. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$12,102
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Kansas was $12,102.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$18,059
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Kansas had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,059.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$72,236 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$18,059 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$48,408 4-Year In-State Tuition
$121,728 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$11,358 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,224 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,684 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$98,736 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Kansas.
Financial Aid by Income Level
20.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
37.35% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Kansas was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Kansas in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $10,107 | $24,873 | $17,690 |
| 2014 | $10,448 | $25,731 | $18,434 |
| 2015 | $10,825 | $26,659 | $18,755 |
| 2016 | $11,455 | $28,239 | $18,234 |
| 2017 | $10,824 | $26,592 | $18,814 |
| 2018 | $11,148 | $27,358 | $18,571 |
| 2019 | $11,166 | $28,034 | $18,918 |
| 2020 | $11,166 | $28,034 | $20,257 |
| 2021 | $11,166 | $28,034 | $18,709 |
| 2022 | $11,167 | $28,035 | $18,430 |
| 2023 | $11,700 | $29,412 | $17,365 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
93.48% Acceptance Rate
19,226 Total Applicants
16,958 Students Admitted
5,259 First-Time Students Enrolled
31.01% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1190
ACT Average: 25
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Kansas reported total enrollment of about 21,217 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (69.3%), Hispanic or Latino (10.8%), and Asian (6.0%). About 20.47% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 22.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
92.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Kansas in 2024 is 21,217 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 23,656 students. Graduate enrollment is about 7,707 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
86.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 69.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
55.03% 100% Completion Time
68.81% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 55.03% of students graduating from University of Kansas completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 19% male / 81% female
- Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology: 42% male / 58% female
- Business/Commerce, General: 58% male / 42% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Kansas.
Return on Investment
$21,000 Median Student Debt
$61,945 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
33.90% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
757.54% Return on Investment
3.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Kansas.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 184 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 354 completions
2. Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology: 292 completions
3. Business/Commerce, General: 285 completions
4. Social Work: 265 completions
5. Accounting: 216 completions
6. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 202 completions
7. Medicine: 200 completions
8. Journalism: 190 completions
9. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 187 completions
Most popular programs at University of Kansas.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Kansas graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Kansas from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 77.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,338
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $22,979
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, KS, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, Business/Commerce, General. Enrollment is approximately 21,217 students. Student body composition includes White (69.3%), Hispanic or Latino (10.8%), Asian (6.0%). The admission rate is 93.48%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1190. The 150%-time completion rate is 68.81%. Approximately 20.47% of students receive Pell Grants. About 22.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Lawrence, KS 66045
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 184 distinct degree programs, University of Kansas provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is KU located?
University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS. The institution is also known as KU.
What is KU's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Kansas (KU) is 93.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 19,226 applicants and 16,958 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does KU cost?
Reported tuition is $12,102 and average net price is $18,059 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,358 annually.
What is the student body demographics at KU?
University of Kansas reports undergraduate enrollment of about 23,656 students, White (69.3%), Hispanic or Latino (10.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend KU?
About 22.2% of students at University of Kansas are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Kansas?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Kansas reports midpoint SAT about 1190 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of University of Kansas earn?
Median earnings are $51,217 six years after entry and $61,945 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kansas?
The 150%-time completion rate is 68.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Kansas students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,000.
Is University of Kansas public or private?
University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, KS.
Is University of Kansas an HBCU?
No. University of Kansas is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Kansas a tribal college?
No. University of Kansas is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Kansas college profile
- Kansas college costs
- Kansas colleges by ROI
- University of Kansas vs Kansas State University vs Wichita State University
- Lawrence, Kansas city profile
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kansas
- Kansas college costs
- Kansas colleges by ROI
- University of Kansas vs Kansas State University vs Wichita State University
- Lawrence, Kansas city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kansas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.