University of Kansas combines open admission access with well above average mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces solid graduate earnings of $61,945 while maintaining reasonable debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability across diverse academic programs.
With well above average outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting moderate costs and reasonable debt levels
With above average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Kansas delivers solid return on investment through manageable debt levels and strong earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $61,945 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 75th percentile nationally with well above average performance.
Earnings range from $40,390 at the 25th percentile to $88,093 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across academic programs. The institution generates earnings around the national average relative to expectations, with graduates earning $833 less than predicted based on student demographics, placing it at the 52.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.
Students seeking strong graduate outcomes at a major public research university with accessible admission standards. Well-suited for those interested in health professions, business, or communications who value the combination of open access and above-average earnings potential.
University of Kansas admits 88.2% of applicants, meaning approximately 9 out of every 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that University of Kansas is more accessible than many comparable institutions, admitting applicants at a rate 10.1 percentage points higher than similar schools. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission as a public flagship institution committed to broad educational access for Kansas residents and qualified out-of-state students.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Kansas publishes a cost of attendance of $25,215 per year for in-state students, including $11,700 in tuition, $10,818 for room and board, and $1,224 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $29,412, bringing their total cost of attendance above $30,000.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $17,365 representing savings of $7,850 from the published cost. This net price falls $1,775 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating that University of Kansas provides moderate affordability relative to comparable institutions.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most students, with the average family paying approximately 69% of the sticker price. Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $10,908 for the lowest-income families to $21,310 for families earning over $110,000 annually.
This progressive pricing structure ensures that lower-income students receive the most substantial aid packages while families with higher incomes contribute more toward educational costs. The university's affordability index ranks at the 59th percentile with above average performance, indicating reasonable costs relative to outcomes and peer institutions.
Clinical and Industrial Drug Development.
126 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
25 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
90 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
118 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
119 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado State University-Fort Collins Similar quality tier (#235 ranked) | CO | 90% | $60,543 | #235 | Compare |
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This is the University Of Kansas hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-kansas/analysis.
Open access with strong graduate outcomes
University of Kansas ranks #235 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing it at the 85.6th percentile with well above average overall performance. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public research university maintains open access admission with an 88.2% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 19.5% Pell-eligible students and 22.2% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access levels relative to its public university peers. University of Kansas demonstrates well above average mobility performance at the 89.9th percentile, indicating the institution effectively supports economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds.
Graduates earn a median of $61,945 ten years after enrollment, placing the university at the 75th percentile nationally and $1,402 above the peer median of $60,543. As a Selective Achievers institution, University of Kansas combines strong post-graduation outcomes with selective student enrollment patterns, serving fewer low-income students while maintaining robust earnings performance.
Students should understand that while admission to University of Kansas is relatively accessible, the university maintains academic standards through its curriculum and degree requirements. The combination of open access and strong academic programs makes University of Kansas attractive to students seeking a major research university experience without the uncertainty of highly competitive admission.
Prospective students should focus on meeting basic admission requirements and preparing for academic success rather than worrying about admission competition. For college planning purposes, students can treat University of Kansas as a likely admission school while building a balanced list that includes other options matching their academic and financial needs.
University of Kansas graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth throughout their careers. Median earnings rise from $51,217 six years after enrollment to $57,994 at eight years and $61,945 at ten years, representing 20.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a robust ten-year cohort of 5,389 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn around the national average relative to expectations, with outcomes $833 below predicted levels based on student demographics, placing the university at the 52.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $62,800, demonstrating the institution's ability to support economic advancement for students from diverse financial backgrounds. Earnings span from $40,390 at the 25th percentile to $88,093 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 27.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study according to program mix analysis, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
University of Kansas offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Clinical and Industrial Drug Development stands out with exceptional performance, ranking #1 nationally and producing 126 graduates with median earnings of $129,963 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Business/Commerce, General ranks #17 nationally with 122 graduates earning $60,067, while Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #15 nationally, graduating 180 students with median earnings of $57,522. Digital Marketing ranks #35 nationally with 180 graduates earning $67,616, and Business Administration and Management ranks #58 nationally with 103 graduates earning $77,588.
Broadcast Journalism ranks #6 nationally, graduating 243 students with median earnings of $54,736. Several programs rank #1 within Kansas, including Psychology, General with 252 graduates representing the largest single program by enrollment.
The institution demonstrates particular strength in business, health professions, and communications fields.
University Of West Florida Similar quality tier (#234 ranked) | FL | 57% | $49,137 | #234 | Compare |
William & Mary Similar quality tier (#233 ranked) | VA | 33% | $73,490 | #233 | Compare |
Rowan University Similar quality tier (#232 ranked) | NJ | 78% | $59,988 | #232 | Compare |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#231 ranked) | PA | 80% | $63,435 | #231 | Compare |
