KU vs. Ohio University

Should I go to University of Kansas or Ohio University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if KU or Ohio University 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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University of Kansas vs. Ohio University Main Campus comparison
University of Kansas Ohio University Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Kansas Ohio University Main Campus
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Overview

 KU Ohio University
Location Lawrence, KS Athens, OH
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 28,406 24,937
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #291 #498
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu ohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 KU Ohio University
Tuition (In State) $10,596 $13,746
Tuition (Out of State) $28,308 $24,114
Room & Board $10,818 $13,594
Avg Net Price $18,322 $20,550
Avg Grant Aid $10,644 $8,616
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 93%

Admission

 KU Ohio University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,226 25,648
Admitted 16,958 21,739
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 84.8%
Enrolled % 31% 21.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 22/28
SAT Range 1050/1290 1100/1290
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

 KU Ohio University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 KU Ohio University
Graduation Rate 61% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $211

Diversity

 KU Ohio University
% Men 11% 9%
% Women 16% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 83%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 KU Ohio University
% In-State 55% 86%
% Out-of-State 43% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Kansas is larger than than Ohio University based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 24,937 students)

KU vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or Ohio University?

  • Ohio University Main Campus is 29.7% more expensive to attend than KU for in-state tuition ($13,746.00 vs. $10,596.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.4% higher at KU than Ohio University Main Campus ($28,308.00 vs. $24,114.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than Ohio University ($18,322 vs. $20,550)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 25.7% lower than costs at Ohio University Main Campus ($10,818 vs. $13,594)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus than University of Kansas (93% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 23.5% larger than aid received Ohio University Main Campus ($10,644 vs. $8,616)

KU vs. Ohio University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 37 points higher than at Ohio University (1108)
  • Incoming KU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Ohio University (24)
  • Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Ohio University (3.59)
  • KU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Ohio University (84.8%)

KU vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KU or Ohio University? 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 Ohio University and KU.

  • The graduation rate at Ohio University is higher than University of Kansas (65% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $10,100 more per year than Ohio University graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $44,500)
  • Ohio University Main Campus and KU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($20,500 vs. $20,500)
  • Ohio University Main Campus and KU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($211 vs. $211)
  • More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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