More selective than 26% of Kansas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
11% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 68% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose KU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have KU's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at KU or have its file? Send it to us.
KU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, KU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 540 | 650 |
| SAT math | 530 | 650 |
| ACT composite | 20 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1070 | 1300 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
KU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 93% | 540–650 | 530–650 | 20–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 88% | 530–650 | 520–640 | 21–27 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is KU compared with other Kansas colleges?
KU has the 18th-lowest acceptance rate of 24 Kansas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | University of Saint Mary | 87% | 48% | $22,519 |
| 15 | Pittsburg State University | 89% | 57% | $15,784 |
| 16 | Fort Hays State University | 90% | 48% | $12,569 |
| 17 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90% | 18% | $3,134 |
| 18 | University of Kansas | 93% | 69% | $18,059 |
| 19 | Bethel College-North Newton | 94% | 41% | $32,917 |
| 20 | Wichita State University | 94% | 51% | $13,194 |
| 21 | Baker University | 94% | 58% | $25,301 |
| 22 | Emporia State University | 98% | 56% | $16,261 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Kansas colleges →
Who enrolls at KU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
KU admissions questions
What is the KU acceptance rate?
University of Kansas accepts 93% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 16,958 of 19,226 applicants were admitted.
Does KU require the SAT or ACT?
University of Kansas considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 11% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 68% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for KU?
The middle 50% of University of Kansas enrolled first-year students scored 1070–1300 on the SAT and 20–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at KU?
31% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (5,259 of 16,958).
Is KU getting harder to get into?
University of Kansas accepted 93% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 88% for Fall 2023.
Is KU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Kansas overview