John Brown University vs. KU

Should I go to John Brown University or University of Kansas? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if John Brown University or KU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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John Brown University vs. University of Kansas comparison
John Brown University University of Kansas College 3 College 4
John Brown University University of Kansas
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Overview

John Brown University KU
Location Siloam Springs, AR Lawrence, KS
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 2,341 28,406
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #280 #291
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jbu.edu ku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

John Brown University KU
Tuition (In State) $29,488 $10,596
Tuition (Out of State) $29,488 $28,308
Room & Board $10,258 $10,818
Avg Net Price $21,464 $18,322
Avg Grant Aid $21,796 $10,644
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 89%

Admission

John Brown University KU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,545 19,226
Admitted 1,045 16,958
Acceptance Rate 67.6% 88.2%
Enrolled % 36.7% 31%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.66
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/30 21/27
SAT Range 1130/1345 1050/1290
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, 2026

Academics

John Brown University KU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (47%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

John Brown University KU
Graduation Rate 66% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,600 $54,600
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,943 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $226 $211

Diversity

John Brown University KU
% Men 5% 11%
% Women 14% 16%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 72%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 7%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 6% 6%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

John Brown University KU
% In-State 39% 55%
% Out-of-State 52% 43%

Campus

John Brown University KU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kansas is larger than than John Brown University based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 2,341 students)

John Brown University vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, John Brown University or KU?

  • John Brown University is 178.3% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($29,488.00 vs. $10,596.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.2% higher at John Brown University than University of Kansas ($29,488.00 vs. $28,308.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than John Brown University ($18,322 vs. $21,464)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Brown University are 5.5% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($10,258 vs. $10,818)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at John Brown University than University of Kansas (99% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Brown University students is 104.8% larger than aid received University of Kansas ($21,796 vs. $10,644)

John Brown University vs. KU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, John Brown University or KU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between KU or John Brown University .

  • The average SAT score at John Brown University (1209) is 64 points higher than at KU (1145)
  • Incoming John Brown University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at KU (25)
  • Accepted freshman John Brown University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at KU (3.66)
  • KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than John Brown University (67.6%)

John Brown University vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, John Brown University 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 John Brown University.

  • The graduation rate at John Brown University is higher than University of Kansas (66% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $1,000 more per year than John Brown University graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $53,600)
  • University of Kansas students graduate with a $1,443 lower median federal student loan debt than John Brown University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,943)
  • KU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than John Brown University graduates. ($211 vs. $226)
  • More John Brown University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/