Getting in
For Fall 2025, 22,187 first-year students applied to KU, 20,541 were admitted and 5,040 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 92.6%.
Source: KU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 7,479 | 7,037 | 94.1% |
| Out-of-state | 14,011 | 12,847 | 91.7% |
| International | 697 | 657 | 94.3% |
Source: KU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, application data by residency. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. KU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school or major.
Source: KU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early plans. KU has no early decision or early action plan.
Source: KU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Assured admission places you in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Direct admission to some schools asks for more, and admission to them is selective:
- School of Business. A 3.4 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (the test-optional pathway), or an index of your ACT divided by 10 plus your GPA of 5.55 or higher (official scores required).
- School of Engineering. Admissible to KU, a 3.0 high school GPA, and math preparedness: an ACT math score of 22 (SAT math 540), a B or better in college algebra or higher, a C or better in high school calculus, or a qualifying score on the ALEKS math placement exam.
- Architecture and Interior Architecture. Guaranteed admission to the 5-year Master of Architecture or Interior Architecture if you apply by November 1 with a 3.8 GPA, or a 3.5 to 3.79 GPA and an ACT 24 (SAT 1160), plus at least one high school drawing or art class with a B or better. Final deadline February 1; later or other applicants are reviewed as space permits.
- Design. An ACT 21 (SAT 1060) and 3.25 GPA, or an ACT 24 (SAT 1160) and 3.0 GPA, plus a portfolio and essay. Without scores you get a holistic review. Priority deadline November 1, final deadline February 1.
- Journalism and Mass Communications. A 3.25 high school GPA, or a 3.0 GPA with an ACT 21 (SAT 1060).
- Music. An audition on your primary instrument or voice.
- Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Professions. You enter these programs after two years of undergraduate study, with a minimum college GPA and prerequisite courses.
- University Honors Program. Essay and short answer prompts with no minimum GPA or test score. Priority deadline November 1, standard deadline December 1, late consideration February 1.
Source: KU Admissions, Major-Specific Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
153 majors across 14 schools. Every bachelor's degree in KU's official 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, grouped by the school that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Concentrations, minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences81
- African and African-American Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- African and African-American Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- American Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- American Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Anthropology (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Applied Behavioral Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Applied Behavioral Science (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Astronomy (Bachelor of Arts)
- Astronomy (Bachelor of Science)
- Atmospheric Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Behavioral Neuroscience (Bachelor of Science)
- Biochemistry (Bachelor of Arts)
- Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Chemistry (Bachelor of Arts)
- Chemistry (Bachelor of Science)
- Classics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Classics (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Communication Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Communication Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Data Science (Bachelor of Science)
- East Asian Languages and Cultures (Bachelor of Arts)
- Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Economics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Economics (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Economics (Bachelor of Science)
- English (Bachelor of Arts)
- English (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Environmental Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Environmental Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Environmental Studies (Bachelor of Science)
- French, Francophone and Italian Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Geography (Bachelor of Arts)
- Geography (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Geography (Bachelor of Science)
- Geology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Geology (Bachelor of Science)
- Global and International Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Health and Society (Bachelor of Arts)
- Health and Society (Bachelor of General Studies)
- History (Bachelor of Arts)
- History (Bachelor of General Studies)
- History of Art (Bachelor of Arts)
- History of Art (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Human Biology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Human Sexuality (Bachelor of Arts)
- Human Sexuality (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Intelligence and National Security Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Intelligence and National Security Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Jewish Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Linguistics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Linguistics (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Literature, Language, and Writing (Bachelor of Arts)
- Literature, Language, and Writing (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Mathematics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Mathematics (Bachelor of Science)
- Microbiology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Microbiology (Bachelor of Science)
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (Bachelor of Science)
- Philosophy (Bachelor of Arts)
- Philosophy (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Physics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Physics (Bachelor of Science)
- Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Political Science (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Psychology (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Religious Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sociology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sociology (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Spanish (Bachelor of Arts)
- Speech-Language-Hearing (Bachelor of Arts)
- Speech-Language-Hearing (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Public Affairs and Administration (in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)4
- Law and Society (Bachelor of Arts)
- Law and Society (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Public Administration (Bachelor of Arts)
- Public Administration (Bachelor of General Studies)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, Public Affairs and Administration (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Architecture and Design3
- Architectural Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Interior Architecture (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Architecture and Design (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Business9
- Accounting (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Business Administration (Bachelor of Business Administration)Online, for students who have completed at least 60 college hours
- Business Administration (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Business Analytics (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Finance (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Information Systems (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Management and Leadership (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Marketing (Bachelor of Science in Business)
- Supply Chain Management (Bachelor of Science in Business)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Education and Human Sciences7
- Community Health (Bachelor of Science in Education)
- Elementary Education (Bachelor of Science in Education)
- Exercise Science (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Exercise Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Secondary Education (Bachelor of Science in Education)
- Sport Management (Bachelor of Science)
- Unified Early Childhood (Bachelor of Science in Education)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Education and Human Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Engineering12
- Aerospace Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Applied Computing (Bachelor of Science)
- Architectural Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Chemical Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Civil Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Computer Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Computer Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Cybersecurity Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Electrical Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Engineering Physics (Bachelor of Science)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Health Professions4
- Clinical Laboratory Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Diagnostic Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Health Information Management (Bachelor of Science)
- Respiratory Care (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Health Professions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Journalism and Mass Communications1
- Journalism and Mass Communications (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Journalism and Mass Communications (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Music5
- Music (Bachelor of Arts)
- Music (Bachelor of Music)
- Music Education (Bachelor of Music Education)
- Music Therapy (Bachelor of Music Therapy)
- Theatre and Voice (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Music (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Nursing1
- Nursing (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Nursing (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Pharmacy1
- Pharmaceutical Studies (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Pharmacy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Professional Studies14
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Applied Cybersecurity (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Biotechnology (Bachelor of Science)
- Criminal Justice (Bachelor of Arts)
- Criminal Justice (Bachelor of Science)
- Health Sciences (Bachelor of Health Sciences)
- Information Technology (Bachelor of Science)
- Nutrition (Bachelor of Science)
- Operations Management (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Professional Performance (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Professional Studies (Bachelor of Professional Studies)
- Project Management (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Project Management (Bachelor of Science)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Professional Studies (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Social Welfare1
- Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of Social Welfare (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of the Arts (in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)10
- Dance (Bachelor of Arts)
- Dance (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Film and Media Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Film and Media Studies (Bachelor of General Studies)
- History of Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Theatre (Bachelor of Arts)
- Theatre (Bachelor of General Studies)
- Theatre Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Visual Art (Bachelor of Arts)
- Visual Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
Source: KU Academic Catalog 2026-2027, School of the Arts (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman scholarship deadline | December 1 | not published | No |
| FAFSA priority deadline | February 1 | not published | No |
KU lists no application deadline for admission and publishes no decision dates; it says it strives to respond as quickly as possible to every complete application. No test scores are necessary to apply. The page carries no year.
Source: KU Admissions, Apply to the University of Kansas (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
KU is test optional. You are assured admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences with a transcript and either a cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 or higher (weighted or unweighted), or an ACT of at least 21 or SAT of at least 1060 with a 2.0 GPA. If you meet neither, KU reviews your application individually. KU highly encourages you to send ACT or SAT scores: they will not hurt your admission eligibility, but may be used in professional school admission decisions.
Source: KU Admissions, Apply to the University of Kansas (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set marks the SAT or ACT as not required for admission, but considered for some, with scores due by July 1.
Source: KU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked KU's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: KU Admissions, Freshman Enrollment (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at KU, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (30 hours) | $11,844 | $31,779 |
| Required student and wellness fees | $1,065 | $1,065 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $14,370 | $14,370 |
| Books and supplies | $778 | $778 |
| Transportation | $2,600 | $2,600 |
| Personal expenses | $2,962 | $2,962 |
| Total | $33,619 | $53,554 |
For a full-time undergraduate living on campus, fall and spring. Program course fees are extra and vary by school. KU's own totals ($33,725 and $53,660) add a $106 loan fee.
Source: KU Financial Aid & Scholarships, 2026-2027 Estimated Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $12,544 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $12,942 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $15,154 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,169 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,544 |
| All incomes | $18,059 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from KU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of Kansas on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · Public87.5% admitted$19,406 average net price
Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Public87.9% admitted$18,589 average net price
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Public87.8% admitted$17,747 average net price
University of IowaIowa City, IA · Public79.9% admitted$22,531 average net price
University of Minnesota Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · Public78.9% admitted$16,778 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.