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87.8%Acceptance
$11,700Tuition
19,857Students
69%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$61,945Earnings
#6 in KansasPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Overview

University of Kansas is a accessible public four-year institution in Lawrence, Kansas. The school accepts 87.8% of applicants and enrolls 19,857 students.

Admission Statistics

Acceptance Rate
87.8%
Average SAT
1,215
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1,090–1,340
ACT Composite (avg)
25
Total Enrollment
19,857

Your Chances by SAT Score

Strong Candidate
SAT above 1,340

Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.

Competitive
SAT 1,090–1,340

Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.

Reach School
SAT below 1,090

Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.

Admission Guide

You can apply to University of Kansas through the Common Application or directly through their online portal, with a priority deadline of December 1 for fall admission. The application requires your high school transcript, but test scores are optional for most programs.

Engineering and nursing programs maintain higher admission standards than the university overall. The School of Engineering requires specific math and science coursework, while nursing has limited spots and evaluates applications more competitively. Architecture also has a portfolio requirement and separate review process.

Submit your housing application immediately after being admitted since residence halls fill quickly. First-year students must live on campus unless they meet specific exemption criteria. The university offers several themed residential communities tied to academic interests.

Kansas requires all new students to attend orientation, called Hawk Week, which runs for several days before classes begin. You'll register for courses during this time, so research degree requirements beforehand. Many popular classes fill during earlier orientation sessions.

The campus sits on Mount Oread, meaning you'll walk up and down hills daily. Parking is limited and expensive, but the bus system connects campus to Lawrence effectively. Lawrence offers a genuine college town atmosphere with Massachusetts Street providing restaurants, shops, and entertainment within walking distance.

Kansas operates on a semester system with a January intersession term. You can earn credits during this three-week period or use it for study abroad programs. The university participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, potentially reducing tuition costs for students from participating states.

What It Costs If You Get In

Average Net Price
$17,365/yr
Tuition (in-state)
$11,700
Tuition (out-of-state)
$29,412
Students Receiving Aid
20%

View full cost breakdown →

After You Graduate

Graduation Rate (6-year)
68.8%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$61,945/yr
Freshman Retention Rate
85.1%

View full outcomes data →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does University of Kansas require SAT or ACT scores for admission?

University of Kansas is test-optional, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission. Students can choose whether to submit test scores as part of their application.

What is the application deadline for University of Kansas?

University of Kansas has a rolling admissions policy with priority deadlines of December 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. Applications are reviewed as they are received.

How many credit hours do transfer students need to apply to University of Kansas?

Transfer students with fewer than 24 college credit hours must meet freshman admission requirements. Students with 24 or more credit hours are evaluated based on their college coursework and need a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Does University of Kansas offer early decision or early action admissions?

University of Kansas does not offer early decision or early action programs. The university uses rolling admissions and evaluates applications throughout the admissions cycle.