University of Kansas
#2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas- Graduation Rate
- 69% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,945 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,059 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas.
Every $1 spent returns $21.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,496,723.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 52% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #301-350
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 20/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Kansas Matters
University of Kansas is a public research university in Lawrence, KS ranked #301-350 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 21,217
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Psychology
Why students choose University of Kansas
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,059 a year after grants and scholarships — 5% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,945 ten years after enrolling — 52% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 93%, the University of Kansas is an accessible option for many students seeking a solid education. It's a great fit for those interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Psychology, and Communications. The campus vibe in Lawrence is lively, and students here appreciate a blend of academic rigor and a supportive community.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $61,945 within ten years. That’s a strong figure that suggests many graduates find their footing in the job market. Affordability is also a key consideration; the net price after aid is about $18,059, making it a reasonable choice for many families. While 20% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps low-income students, the potential for upward mobility is an important factor for many.
When it comes to financial outcomes, the median debt sits at $21,000, which is manageable for most graduates. Students who thrive here typically embrace the collaborative spirit and take advantage of the diverse programs available. Those who are proactive about their education and engage with the community often find success both during and after their time at the university.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Kansas is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Kansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1070–1300
- ACT Range
- 20–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,338
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 16,204
- Admitted
- 14,234
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Kansas is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 25% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 25%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 51%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 58% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Kansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Kansas is $30,432, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,059. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,544 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,102
- Out-of-State
- $30,432
- Avg Net Price
- $18,059
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,544
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,942
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,154
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,544
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Kansas — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Kansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Kansas earn a median of $61,945, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,217
- 8 Years
- $57,994
- 10 Years
- $61,945
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,827)
- 46%
- 100% (1,827)
- 46%
- 100% (1,827)
- 46%
- 100% (1,827)
- 46%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Kansas Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Kansas delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,059/year ($72,236 total). Graduates earn $61,945 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,568,959 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,496,723 (21.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 69% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $72,236
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,568,959
- Net Return
- $1,496,723
- ROI Multiple
- 21.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,059
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Kansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Kansas is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 29.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $158,419
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 20/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 62/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 36/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-17,387,451
Top Programs
The fields University of Kansas awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $64,917 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $69,331 early-career
- Engineering 9% $82,387 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,195 early-career
- Communications 6% $48,842 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $44,210 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $40,390 early-career
- Humanities 4% $33,335 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Kansas's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Kansas? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 69%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Kansas? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Kansas is $30,432, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,059. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,544 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Kansas Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Kansas earn a median of $61,945, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Kansas Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Kansas is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 29.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $116,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Kansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Kansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Kansas? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Kansas at #301-350 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 20/100, teaching at 31/100, and citation impact of 62/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does University of Kansas offer Early Decision?
No. University of Kansas does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is University of Kansas really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 58% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Kansas (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Kansas?
About 25% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Kansas — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare University of Kansas
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Kansas.
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · Close peer65% grad $62,117 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of KentuckyLexington, KY · Close peer71% grad $59,025 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IowaIowa City, IA · Close peer74% grad $64,762 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Kansas? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Kansas. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note