University of Kansas College Portrait
University of Kansas1450 Jayhawk Boulevard Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-3911
University of Kansas
Welcome to the University of Kansas!
We're glad you're interested in KU! The University of Kansas is a major public research and teaching institution with a diverse, multi-campus system. KU is committed to high standards of learning and student success is of upmost importance. KU has 28,000 students enrolled in hundreds of majors, many programs are ranked among the best in the nation. The University is committed to diversity with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, and is a leader in study abroad with programs in over 70 countries. Students have many out-of-classroom opportunities in research, community service, student organizations, and on-campus employment to enhance their educational experience. Over 2,600 talented faculty are dedicated to providing quality educational and research experiences. The University of Kansas is a great place to be challenged, inspired, and succeed!
Living in the Jayhawks Community
A great university in a great community!
The University's main campus is located in Lawrence, Kansas, one of the greatest college towns in America. Located atop the beautiful Mount Oread, KU is committed to high standards of learning - both in and out of the classroom. KU has many undergraduate research opportunities, 12 libraries, and several museums. The university assists students in achieving both academic and personal success by providing professional advisors, health care, financial aid, and on-campus housing that ranges from large residence halls to small scholarship halls and apartments. The University and Lawrence have a great social scene with many entertainment venues providing films, speakers, and concerts. Over 580 student organizations provide countless opportunities to learn, make new friends, and volunteer in the community. Many recreational activities are available with a first-class fitness center, outdoor playing fields, swimming pool, intramurals and sports clubs, and Clinton Reservoir, located just west of town. The nationally competitive Jayhawks, men's and women's sports teams, are thrilling to watch and the "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" chant is recognized around the world.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2012?
More Information
| Total Students | 27,135 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 19,169 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 9,495 | 50% |
| Men | 9,674 | 50% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 108 | 1% |
| Asian | 719 | 4% |
| African American / Black | 717 | 4% |
| Hispanic | 1,132 | 6% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 13 | <1% |
| White | 14,404 | 75% |
| Two or More Races | 732 | 4% |
| International | 1,223 | 6% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 121 | 1% |
| Where do KU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 73% |
| Other US States & Territories | 21% |
| Other Countries | 5% |
| How old are KU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 21 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 10% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2012)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 22 - 28 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 57% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 88% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 90% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.50 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 96% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $20,544
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend University of Kansas varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- <1% of full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $0. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- <1% of full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $0. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2011 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
KU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 18 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 73% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 88% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 1,324 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 39% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 18% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 7% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
62% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
24% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
Student safety is of utmost importance at KU. KU Public Safety officers patrol both the Lawrence and Medical Center campuses 24-7 on foot, on bicycles, and in marked police cars. Blue phones are strategically placed in numerous locations with a direct line to a police dispatcher. The Safe Bus program runs specific routes from 9 pm to 3 am T/F/S. The Safe Ride program offers free rides between the hours of 10:30 pm to 2:30 am to students' homes inside the city limits while classes are in session.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (very high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- Majority undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at KU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 94.0% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 58.0% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 27.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 86.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 27.0% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 53.0% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 67.0% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 23.0% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 94.0% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 96.0% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 70.0% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 56.0% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 93.0% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 58.0% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 81.0% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 96.0% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 72.0% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 65.0% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 85.0% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 53.0% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 88.0% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 87.0% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 84.0% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at University of Kansas in 2011-12 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 4,331 |
| Master's | 1,731 |
| Doctoral | 821 |
| Total | 6,883 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2011-12 | |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES. | 13% |
| Journalism. | 7% |
| ENGINEERING. | 7% |
| PSYCHOLOGY. | 6% |
| BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES. | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at University of Kansas |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 90% four-year success and progress rate means that 90% of students starting in Fall 2006 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
More Information
Counts for the Fall 2006 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 4,017 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 1,164 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2011 that returned for their second year: 79%