Deciding on the right college for higher education can be an overwhelming task. In this article, we will compare two popular universities: the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas. We will provide an overview of each school, including their costs and tuition, admissions process, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus amenities, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
University of Kentucky Overview
The University of Kentucky (UK) is a public university located in Lexington, Kentucky. Established in 1865, it is the largest university in the state, with a student population of around 30,000. UK offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across its 16 colleges and professional schools. The university is known for its strong emphasis on research, especially in the areas of agriculture, engineering, and healthcare.
University of Kentucky Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, the undergraduate tuition for in-state students at the University of Kentucky is approximately $12,360, while out-of-state students pay around $31,290. Additionally, the average room and board cost is around $12,800. It is worth noting that financial aid is available for eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
University of Kentucky Admissions
The University of Kentucky has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 94%. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores (optional for the 2021-2022 application cycle), and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have an ACT score range of 23-29 and an SAT score range of 1080-1300. The average high school GPA of admitted students is around 3.50.
University of Kentucky Degrees Offered
The University of Kentucky offers a wide range of degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Some popular majors at UK include Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Moreover, UK has a strong focus on interdisciplinary programs, encouraging students to engage in research collaborations across different fields.
University of Kentucky Academics
The University of Kentucky has a strong academic reputation, with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Many of its individual programs receive high national rankings, especially in the fields of pharmacy, nursing, engineering, and business. Additionally, the Honors College at UK provides students with opportunities for advanced coursework, research, and collaboration with faculty members.
University of Kentucky Diversity
The University of Kentucky has a diverse student body, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus, offering several programs and services to support the needs of its diverse student population, such as the Martin Luther King Center, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, and the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives.
University of Kentucky Students
With a student population of around 30,000, the University of Kentucky offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to engage in activities and clubs. UK has over 400 student organizations, ranging from academic and professional societies to cultural and recreational clubs. Moreover, the university has a strong emphasis on athletics, with the UK Wildcats competing in NCAA Division I sports.
University of Kentucky Campus
The University of Kentucky’s campus spans over 814 acres, offering a mix of traditional and modern architecture. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and recreational centers. Additionally, the campus is home to the William T. Young Library, one of the most technologically advanced libraries in the country, and the on-campus Medical Center, a leading provider of healthcare services in the region.
University of Kentucky Alumni
University of Kentucky alumni have made significant contributions to various fields, such as business, politics, sports, and entertainment. Notable UK alumni include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, former NASA astronaut Story Musgrave, and NBA players Anthony Davis and John Wall.
University of Kentucky Rankings
The University of Kentucky is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. For the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges, UK is ranked #133 in National Universities and #61 in Top Public Schools.
University of Kentucky Outcomes
The University of Kentucky has a strong commitment to student success, providing numerous resources and support services to help students achieve their academic and career goals. According to College Factual, the average starting salary for UK alumni is around $44,900, with a mid-career salary of approximately $84,900. Moreover, UK has a 6-year graduation rate of around 66%.
University of Kansas Overview
The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university located in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 1865, KU has an enrollment of over 27,000 students and offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The university is especially known for its strong programs in education, engineering, journalism, and the liberal arts and sciences.
University of Kansas Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, undergraduate tuition for in-state students at the University of Kansas is approximately $11,166, while out-of-state students pay around $28,034. The average room and board cost is around $10,220. KU offers financial aid for eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
University of Kansas Admissions
The University of Kansas has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 92%. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have an ACT score range of 22-28 and an SAT score range of 1080-1270. The average high school GPA of admitted students is around 3.58.
University of Kansas Degrees Offered
The University of Kansas offers over 370 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Popular majors at KU include Business, Engineering, Education, Journalism, and Social Sciences. Additionally, the university emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, providing students with opportunities to engage in research and collaboration across different fields.
University of Kansas Academics
KU has a strong academic reputation, with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. Many of its individual programs receive high national rankings, particularly in the fields of special education, city management and urban policy, and aerospace engineering. Moreover, the University Honors Program at KU provides students with opportunities for advanced coursework, research, and collaboration with faculty members.
University of Kansas Diversity
The University of Kansas has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus, offering several programs and services to support the needs of its diverse student population, such as the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity, and the Office of International Programs.
University of Kansas Students
With a student population of over 27,000, the University of Kansas offers a lively campus life with numerous opportunities for students to engage in activities and clubs. KU has over 600 student organizations, ranging from academic and professional societies to cultural and recreational clubs. Moreover, the university has a strong emphasis on athletics, with the KU Jayhawks competing in NCAA Division I sports.
University of Kansas Campus
The University of Kansas’ main campus spans over 1,000 acres, offering a mix of historic and modern architecture. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and recreational centers. The campus is also home to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the Spencer Museum of Art, providing students with unique opportunities for learning and engagement.
University of Kansas Alumni
University of Kansas alumni have made significant contributions to various fields, such as business, politics, sports, and entertainment. Notable KU alumni include Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, Google Earth co-founder Brian McClendon, and NBA players Paul Pierce and Andrew Wiggins.
University of Kansas Rankings
The University of Kansas is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. For the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges, KU is ranked #134 in National Universities and #62 in Top Public Schools.
University of Kansas Outcomes
The University of Kansas is committed to student success, providing numerous resources and support services to help students achieve their academic and career goals. According to PayScale, the average starting salary for KU alumni is around $50,800, with a mid-career salary of approximately $95,000. Moreover, KU has a 6-year graduation rate of around 65%.
University of Kentucky vs University of Kansas Cost Comparison
Both the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas offer relatively affordable tuition rates for in-state students, with UK’s in-state tuition at $12,360 and KU’s at $11,166. Out-of-state students will pay slightly more at UK, with tuition at $31,290 compared to KU’s $28,034. Room and board costs are also comparable, with UK’s average cost at $12,800 and KU’s at $10,220. It is important for students to consider their individual financial situations and explore available financial aid options at both universities.
University of Kentucky vs University of Kansas Admissions Difficulty
Both universities have selective admissions processes, with acceptance rates around 94% for the University of Kentucky and 92% for the University of Kansas. The middle 50% ACT and SAT score ranges for admitted students are similar for both schools, with only slight differences in the average high school GPA of admitted students (3.50 for UK and 3.58 for KU). Prospective students should carefully consider their academic profiles when applying to either university.
University of Kentucky vs University of Kansas Academic Difficulty
The academic rigor at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas is comparable, with a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 at both schools. Both universities also offer honors programs for high-achieving students, providing opportunities for advanced coursework, research, and collaboration with faculty members. Students should take into consideration their academic interests and desired level of academic challenge when comparing the two universities.
University of Kentucky vs University of Kansas Outcome Comparison
The outcomes for graduates from the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas are fairly similar. The average starting salaries for alumni from UK and KU are $44,900 and $50,800, respectively, while the mid-career salaries are $84,900 and $95,000. Additionally, both universities have comparable 6-year graduation rates, with UK at 66% and KU at 65%. Students should consider their career goals and the resources and support services available at each university when making their decision.
