University in United States
Lawrence, KS, United States
University profile
The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university whose main campus sits on a hill in Lawrence, Kansas, a city of about 100,000 people less than an hour from Topeka and about 45 minutes from Kansas City. KU describes itself as the flagship university for Kansas and as one of 38 public institutions in the Association of American Universities. Its colours are crimson and blue and its students are known as Jayhawks.
KU operates five campuses: the Lawrence main campus, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, and medical campuses in Wichita and Salina. The Lawrence campus is organised into North, Central and West districts, from the oldest buildings and living options to the newest learning spaces, student union and residence halls and the research facilities of the West District.
The university offers more than 400 degree and certificate programmes, with nearly 275 undergraduate fields of study and six Exploratory Pathways for students who have not chosen a major. Its academic areas include Architecture & Design, the Arts, Business, Education & Human Sciences, Engineering, Health Professions, Journalism & Mass Communications, Law, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Professional Studies, Public Affairs & Administration and Social Welfare. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and 33 languages are taught.
Student life includes more than 600 organisations on KU Engage, among them sororities and fraternities and more than 130 multicultural clubs. Watkins Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services and KU Recreation Services support wellbeing. Housing & Residence Life houses more than 5,000 residents; 80% of first-year students live on campus, in traditional and suite-style halls, apartments and scholarship halls where residents share cooking and chores in return for lower costs. Dining plans are required in residence halls. Nearly 25% of undergraduates study abroad through more than 165 programmes.
KU enrolled 31,464 students in fall 2026 and describes 62% of its students as from Kansas and 38% from beyond Kansas, including 10% internationally. International Support Services provides immigration advising and orientation, the Applied English Center offers English-language study, and 1,741 international students from 114 countries were enrolled in fall 2024. KU also runs the University Honors Program and assists students applying for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Estimated 2026-27 annual cost for Kansas residents: tuition $11,844, required student and wellness fees $1,065, housing and food $8,308-$18,708, books and supplies $778 (total $21,995-$32,395). Out-of-state residents: tuition $30,779 with the same fees, housing and books (total $41,930-$52,330). For international undergraduates, KU estimates $33,854 in tuition and fees plus $18,424 living expenses, a total of $52,278.
Renewable awards based on high school GPA alone; no test scores required. Out-of-state and international students: KU Excellence (3.95+) $64,000, KU Distinction (3.85-3.94) $56,000, KU Achievement (3.70-3.84) $48,000, KU Performance (3.50-3.69) $40,000, KU Access (3.25-3.49) $32,000 over four years. Kansas residents: Chancellor $20,000, Traditions $16,000, Crimson & Blue $12,000, Rock Chalk $8,000, Jayhawk $4,000. Renewal requires a 3.0 KU GPA and full-time enrollment. See international scholarships.
Out-of-state and international transfers: Sunflower $14,000/year (3.75+), Meadowlark $12,500/year (3.50-3.74), Heartland $10,000/year (3.25-3.49). Kansas transfers: Mount Oread $2,000/year, Golden Valley $1,250/year, Phi Theta Kappa $500 one time.
Students who file the FAFSA by Feb. 1 and show need are considered for the Jayhawk Access Grant. The Hixson Opportunity Award gives Kansas students $6,000 per year. International students may apply for the KU International Student Tuition Grant after one full academic year, using the Institutional Student Need Analysis Worksheet. Overall, KU awarded more than $121 million in institutional scholarships and grants to undergraduates in 2025. Details: KU scholarships.
KU International Freshman Merit Scholarships →
KU Transfer Scholarships (Out-of-State and International) →
KU International Student Tuition Grant →
Browse the scholarships listed for University of Kansas and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for University of Kansas →KU is test optional. First-year students are assured admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences with a transcript and either a cumulative high school GPA (weighted or unweighted) of 3.25 or higher, or an ACT of at least 21 or SAT of at least 1060 with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Other applicants are reviewed individually. Applications include a self-reported GPA and official or unofficial transcript, and GED or HiSET scores if applicable. SAT/ACT scores are encouraged but do not negatively affect eligibility and may be used in professional school decisions. Some schools and programmes have additional direct-admission criteria. Freshman scholarship deadline is Dec. 1 and the FAFSA priority date is Feb. 1. The application fee is $40 for domestic degree-seeking freshmen.
Students with 24 or more transferable credit hours and a GPA of 2.5 or higher from a regionally accredited institution are assured admission; with fewer than 24 hours they must also meet freshman standards. Official transcripts from each college attended are required. Fall transfer scholarship deadline is Aug. 1.
GED taken Jan. 1, 2014 or later: 680 overall (150 on each subtest). HiSET: 75 overall (8 on each subtest).
Undergraduate applicants apply through International Admissions. Admission standard: a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework. The application fee is $90 and cannot be waived. Required: English proficiency scores, proof of secondary school graduation for the applicant's country (transcripts for about the last three years of secondary school), academic records, an educational gap statement where applicable, and a third-party release page if an agent assists. Deadlines for students outside the U.S.: Nov. 15 (spring) and May 1 (fall); May 1 is also the fall scholarship deadline. Students within the U.S.: Dec. 1 (spring) and July 25 (fall).
No minimum English score is required for admission, but students without full proficiency may take English coursework at the Applied English Center. Minimums for full-time degree coursework: TOEFL iBT 79 (18 minimum subscore; 4.5 with a 4 minimum subscore on the new scale for tests from Jan. 21, 2026), TOEFL paper 60, IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 minimum subscore), PTE Academic 53 (48 minimum subscore), SAT EBRW 590, ACT English + Reading 48, AP English grade 4. Duolingo scores may be submitted where testing access is limited, with an AEC test required. Students requesting F-1 or J-1 status must submit proof of financial support before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued.
International graduate applicants apply through the graduate application portal and may be required to complete Applied English Center coursework depending on English proficiency.
Lawrence campus address: 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, Kansas 66045.
Study programmes offered at University of Kansas.
Experiences shared by students of University of Kansas.
Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.
Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.
Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.
Enter your credentials to continue.
Join us and start your study abroad journey.
