University of Kansas

No. KU is an accessible public flagship, admitting about 92.6% of applicants in its most recent cycle, roughly 20,500 admits from 22,200 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.

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 3.71 GPA, and academic GPA is the single factor KU rates as very important.

Out-of-state applicants are admitted at nearly the same rate as Kansas residents. For Fall 2025, KU admitted 94.1% of in-state applicants and 91.7% of out-of-state applicants, with international applicants at 94.3%. The same 3.25 GPA assured-admission standard applies regardless of residency, so where you live makes little difference to your odds.

No. KU is test-optional, and scores will not negatively affect your admission eligibility. Among the minority who submitted, the middle 50% scored 1080–1280 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.

Yes, a 1200 is a strong score for KU. It lands just above the 50th percentile of submitting first-years (median 1170), who posted a middle-50% range of 1080–1280. 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.

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.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $12,453 for Kansas residents and $31,332 for out-of-state students. Around 42% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $20,547, and KU meets roughly 78% of demonstrated need. KU also awards four-year renewable merit scholarships based on high school GPA to both resident and non-resident freshmen.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the health professions at 10% and engineering and psychology at 8% each. Communication and journalism, recreation and fitness studies, and the life sciences round out the top areas, and KU lists finance and psychology as its two most popular individual majors.