University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is the public flagship in Lawrence, set on a hilltop campus crowned by Fraser Hall and the Campanile, and the only state-supported home of law, medicine, and pharmacy in Kansas. Admission runs open and accessible: KU admits about 94% of applicants and guarantees a spot to any in-state or out-of-state student with a 3.25 high school GPA. Enrolled first-years carry an average GPA of 3.68, and the university stays test-optional, weighing grades as the one very important factor in its review. Business and marketing leads the degrees conferred, followed by the health professions and engineering, and out-of-state students pay the same standard tuition rate whether they live next door or across the country.
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Kansas admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Kansas does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Kansas is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Kansas's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 53% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Kansas does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Kansas weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Kansas's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $18,330 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Kansas admissions
Is the University of Kansas hard to get into?＋
No. KU is an accessible public flagship, admitting about 93.5% of applicants in its most recent cycle, roughly 20,900 admits from 22,400 applications. Any student with a 3.25 high school GPA earns assured admission, and applicants below that line still get an individual review. Competitive programs like engineering and the honors program set higher bars than the headline rate.
What GPA do you need to get into KU?＋
A 3.25 high school GPA guarantees admission to the University of Kansas. Students below 3.25 can still qualify with a 2.0 GPA plus an ACT score of at least 21 or an SAT of at least 1060, and anyone who misses both paths gets a holistic review. Enrolled first-years average a 3.68 GPA, and academic GPA is the single factor KU rates as very important.
What is the out-of-state acceptance rate at the University of Kansas?＋
Out-of-state applicants are admitted at nearly the same rate as Kansas residents. For Fall 2024, KU admitted 94.3% of in-state applicants and 93.1% of out-of-state applicants, with international applicants at 93.3%. The same 3.25 GPA assured-admission standard applies regardless of residency, so where you live does not change your odds.
Does the University of Kansas require test scores?＋
No. KU is test-optional, and scores will not negatively affect your admission eligibility. Among the minority who submitted, the middle 50% scored 1090–1280 on the SAT and 20–28 on the ACT. A score of at least ACT 21 or SAT 1060 can unlock assured admission for applicants whose GPA falls below 3.25, so submitting can help in that case.
Is a 1200 SAT good enough for the University of Kansas?＋
Yes, a 1200 is a strong score for KU. It lands near the 50th percentile of submitting first-years, who posted a middle-50% range of 1090–1280. Since KU is test-optional and admits most applicants with a 3.25 GPA, a 1200 comfortably clears any score threshold and strengthens your file.
Does the University of Kansas require an essay to apply?＋
No. KU does not require or consider an application essay for general admission, which rests on your GPA and assured-admission standards. Written responses come into play only for the University Honors Program and certain competitive programs, so most applicants apply without an essay.
How much does the University of Kansas cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $12,102 for Kansas residents and $30,432 for out-of-state students. Around 49% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $19,700, and KU meets roughly 81% of demonstrated need. KU also awards four-year renewable merit scholarships based on high school GPA to both resident and non-resident freshmen.
What are the most popular majors at the University of Kansas?＋
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 20% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the health professions at 11% and engineering at 9%. Communication and journalism, the social sciences, psychology, and the life sciences round out the top areas, and KU lists psychology and finance as its two most popular individual majors.
Source: University of Kansas Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Kansas. Banner photo by Gen. Quon, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).