University of Kansas: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Lawrence, Kansas · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Kansas is a public university in Lawrence, Kansas that admits about 93% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,059 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Journalism and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 69% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 9.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Kansas admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 93%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1190 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,059 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Kansas?
59% of enrolled students at University of Kansas had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.68, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Kansas weight in admissions?
University of Kansas reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores University of Kansas typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1090 |
| 50th percentile | 1190 |
| 75th percentile | 1280 |
| % submitting SAT | 8.6% |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 55.2% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 26% |
| Top 25% of class | 54% |
| Top 50% of class | 82% |
| % submitting class rank | 53% |
How much does University of Kansas actually cost?
Published tuition is $12,102 for in-state students and $30,432 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,358 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,059 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $10,968 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,298 |
| Room and board | $11,358 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,059 |
| Application fee | $40 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Kansas
| Regular deadline | One week before classes start |
| Notification date | Beginning in July (rolling) |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Kansas?
These predict outcomes at University of Kansas better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Kansas
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Kansas, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Journalism and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, University of Kansas confers roughly 1,590 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,969 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 281 | $49,969 |
| Journalism | 217 | $62,205 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 209 | $90,997 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 196 | $82,749 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 193 | $73,613 |
| Marketing | 178 | $83,828 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 173 | $79,167 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 143 | $94,912 |
Is University of Kansas safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Kansas disclosed 193 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 9.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 70 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Kansas?
About 27% of undergraduates at University of Kansas live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 13% of men join a fraternity and 33% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Kansas parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Kansas
Common questions parents ask about University of Kansas
What GPA do I need for University of Kansas?
59% of enrolled students at University of Kansas had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.68, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Kansas typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–28.
How much does University of Kansas actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Kansas after grants and scholarships is $18,059 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,102 and $30,432 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Kansas realistic for my child?
University of Kansas admits 93% of applicants, so 530–650 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $18,059 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Kansas?
University of Kansas accepts about 93% of applicants out of roughly 22,363 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Kansas test-optional?
Yes. University of Kansas is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Kansas?
About 69% of students at University of Kansas graduate within six years, and 55% finish in four years. 86% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Kansas look for in applicants?
University of Kansas rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Kansas a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas.
What are the most popular majors at University of Kansas?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Kansas by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Journalism and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 1,590 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Kansas safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Kansas reported 193 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 9.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Kansas?
At University of Kansas, 27% of undergraduates live on campus, 13% of men are in fraternities, 33% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Kansas, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers