University of Kansas
University of Kansas — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Kansas at a Glance
The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Two branch campuses are in the Kansas City metropolitan area on the Kansas side: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, Kansas; and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. There are also educational and research sites in Garden City, Hays, Leavenworth, Parsons, and Topeka, an agricultural education center in rural…
1865
161 years old
$2.7B
$2.69 billion ( FY 2025)
31,169
22,544 undergrad · 8,625 grad
3,421
1,000 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Kansas
Official admissions page3 required
Recommendation letters
Fee waiver
Is University of Kansas Worth It?
University of Kansas offers moderate value at $18,059/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,945, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Kansas compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 54 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #23 | University of Kansas | 59 | $18,059 | $61,945 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Kansas's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Kansas
The highest-earning program at University of Kansas is Mechanical Engineering at $63,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Kansas earns $63,500, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $21,936 in median debt vs. $20,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,059/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,500 | $63,500 | $21,936 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $62,900 | $62,900 | $25,314 |
| Civil Engineering | $62,700 | $62,700 | $23,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $61,000 | $61,000 | $26,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $59,700 | $59,700 | $21,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,500 | $57,500 | $17,561 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,000 | $53,000 | $19,812 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $23,707 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $51,600 | $51,600 | $21,321 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,200 | $49,200 | $21,232 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,700 | $44,700 | $23,250 |
| Marketing | $44,700 | $44,700 | $22,875 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,100 | $41,100 | $21,372 |
| Public Administration | $40,200 | $40,200 | $22,250 |
| Economics | $39,400 | $39,400 | $23,950 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,800 | $38,800 | $22,045 |
| Journalism | $37,400 | $37,400 | $21,672 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,200 | $37,200 | $22,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,800 | $36,800 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,300 | $36,300 | $22,112 |
| Biology, General | $33,500 | $33,500 | $24,326 |
| Social Work | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,500 | $32,500 | $20,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,100 | $31,100 | $21,105 |
| Behavioral Sciences | $28,600 | $28,600 | $22,620 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $20,893 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25,100 | $25,100 | $24,481 |
| International/Global Studies | $21,200 | $21,200 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,700 | $18,700 | $20,500 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lawrence, KS
- Student Body
- 21,217 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,059
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,945
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000