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K-State ESU University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska Arkansas Iowa University of Missouri-Kansas City UALR Johnson County Community College UIC OU Baker| Chicago State University | University of Kansas | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CSU | KU | ||
| Location | Chicago, IL | Lawrence, KS | ||
| Setting | Large City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,317 | 26,708 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #870 | #252 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | csu.edu | ku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CSU | KU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,656 | $10,092 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,656 | $26,960 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,800 | $10,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $6,446 | $18,950 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $15,891 | $11,140 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 87% |
Admission |
CSU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,404 | 16,204 | ||
| Admitted | 3,592 | 14,234 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 48.5% | 87.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 4.8% | 31.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.18 | 3.66 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 15/19 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 750/963 | 1090/1340 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
CSU | KU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CSU | KU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 21% | 61% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,300 | $54,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 25% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $31,250 | $20,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $323 | $211 |
Diversity |
CSU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 33% | 45% | ||
| % Women | 67% | 55% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 3% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 75% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 5% | ||
| % International | 2% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 12% | 1% |
Students |
CSU | KU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 58% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 20% | 39% | ||
Campus |
CSU | KU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Kansas is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (26,708 students vs. 2,317 students)
CSU vs. KU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CSU or KU?
- University of Kansas is 31.8% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($10,092.00 vs. $7,656.00)
- Out of state tuition is 252.1% higher at KU than Chicago State University ($26,960.00 vs. $7,656.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than KU ($6,446 vs. $18,950)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 36.1% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($10,136 vs. $13,800)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Chicago State University than University of Kansas (93% vs. 87%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 42.6% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($15,891 vs. $11,140)
CSU vs. KU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CSU or KU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between KU or CSU .
- The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 270 points higher than at CSU (875)
- Incoming KU students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at CSU (18)
- Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at CSU (3.18)
- KU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than CSU (48.5%)
CSU vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CSU or KU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between KU and CSU.
- The graduation rate at KU is higher than Chicago State University (61% vs. 21%)
- Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $16,300 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $38,300)
- University of Kansas students graduate with a $10,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $31,250)
- KU graduates are paying $112 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($211 vs. $323)
- More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 25%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/