The University of Kansas prices its education across income levels in a way that reflects its public-university mission. Low-income families pay approximately $14,231 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $18,828, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,818.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $37,684 |
| Tuition and Fees | $44,918 |
| Room and Board | $18,468 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,338 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $25,346 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $14,231 |
| $30–48k | $14,381 |
| $48–75k | $18,828 |
| $75–110k | $26,915 |
| $110k+ | $34,818 |
The University of Kansas prices its education across income levels in a way that reflects its public-university mission. Low-income families pay approximately $14,231 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $18,828, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,818. Azimuth ranks University of Colorado Boulder #988 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The spread across income bands reflects KU's reliance on need-based aid to reduce costs for qualifying families, with the gap between sticker price and net price widening meaningfully for lower-income students. For a fuller picture of how published costs compare with what families actually pay, the net price illusion is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions from the headline cost of attendance. Need-based aid plays a meaningful role in shaping what families pay at the University of Kansas. KU participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and students apply through the FAFSA. The university's public-tuition structure keeps the sticker price lower than at many private institutions, which means the net-price reduction from aid — while real — starts from a more accessible baseline. Families weighing KU's affordability should compare net price by income band rather than focusing on the published cost of attendance, since the two figures can differ substantially depending on household circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $46,340; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the University of Kansas's median four-year earnings of $76,850, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of Colorado Boulder earn median earnings of $76,850 four years after enrollment, placing University of Colorado Boulder in the 80.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $6,505 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 79.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Colorado Boulder #228 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects a Business-leaning program mix — Business accounts for 15% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 12% and Social Sciences at 12%. Business Administration combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key driver of the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Business Administration #57 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 1,087 graduates earning median earnings of $86,441 four years after enrollment. The Psychology, General program graduates 567 students with median earnings of $56,867, and Azimuth ranks it #101 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. Computer Science ranks #65 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 473 graduates earning median earnings of $121,952, while Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences round out the top programs with median earnings of $74,779 and $71,444 respectively.
