UH at Manoa vs. KU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

UH at Manoa vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Manoa or KU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Hawaii at Manoa than KU ($17,202 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 22.5% lower than at University of Hawaii at Manoa ($11,358 vs. $14,658).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than KU (about $84 more per year; $12,186.00 vs. $12,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at UH at Manoa than at University of Kansas (about $3,786 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of Hawaii at Manoa (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 43.6% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students ($11,541 vs. $8,039).

UH at Manoa vs. KU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Manoa or KU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KU and UH at Manoa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Manoa (1190) is the same as at KU (1190).
• Incoming KU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Manoa - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH at Manoa students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at KU (3.66).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UH at Manoa (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at UH at Manoa vs. 25.5% at KU.

UH at Manoa vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Manoa and KU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Manoa's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than UH at Manoa graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than KU graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UH at Manoa graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KU graduates ($193 vs. $211).
• More UH at Manoa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.