In-state vs. out-of-state tuition at KU
The University of Kansas charges $12,102 a year in published tuition and fees for Kansas residents, about $6,051 a semester, and $30,432 a year for students from other states, about $15,216 a semester. That is a difference of $18,330 a year. About 45% of first-year students came from out of state. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
What makes KU different
- Research university, college town. KU belongs to the Association of American Universities, and Lawrence's Massachusetts Street is known for music, food and shops.
- Scholarships based on GPA. KU's renewable first-year scholarships are based on GPA alone, up to $64,000 over four years for out-of-state students.
- Paths for undecided students. Six Exploratory Pathways help students who arrive without a major find one.
What KU students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): psychology (274), nursing (187), journalism (170), marketing (169), finance (158) and computer and information sciences (147). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at KU if…
- You want a classic college town with a lively downtown.
- You'd like a research university with clear scholarship rules.
- You're interested in journalism, business, nursing or the sciences.
Worth asking about
- Which majors need more than general admission?
- What scholarship would my GPA qualify for?
How KU compares with the other Big 12 schools
KU is a founding Big 12 member and belongs to the Association of American Universities, a group of leading research universities. See how the 16 Big 12 schools differ.
FAQ
What is the University of Kansas's acceptance rate? 92.6% for fall 2025: 20,541 of 22,187 first-year applicants were admitted, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. Source For fall 2024 it was 93.5%.
What is KU's out-of-state acceptance rate? 91.7% for fall 2025, compared with 94.1% for Kansas residents. KU admitted 12,847 of 14,011 out-of-state applicants and 7,037 of 7,479 Kansas residents, according to KU's Common Data Set for 2025–26. Source International applicants are counted separately. Out-of-state tuition and fees are $30,432 a year before aid; you may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Compare out-of-state acceptance rates at public universities →
How much is KU tuition per semester? About $6,051 a semester for Kansas residents and $15,216 for out-of-state students, based on published yearly tuition and fees of $12,102 and $30,432 before aid.
Is KU an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, the University of Kansas is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to KU? About 21,200 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is KU known for? Its college town, journalism and research, and Allen Fieldhouse.
How much does KU cost? Published tuition and fees are $12,102 a year in-state and $30,432 out-of-state, before any aid.
Wondering if a college town fits you?
Lens's assessments show which campus sizes and settings fit you. Start with Lens →