KU vs. UVU

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

 KU UVU
Location Lawrence, KS Orem, UT
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 26,708 43,099
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #252
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ku.edu uvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 KU UVU
Tuition (In State) $10,092 $5,614
Tuition (Out of State) $26,960 $17,174
Room & Board $10,136 $9,234
Avg Net Price $18,950 $9,346
Avg Grant Aid $11,140 $3,635
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 100%

Admission

 KU UVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,204 -
Admitted 14,234 -
Acceptance Rate 87.8% Open
Enrolled % 31.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 1090/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 KU UVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 25:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 KU UVU
Graduation Rate 61% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $15,200
Median Loan Payment $211 $157

Diversity

 KU UVU
% Men 45% 50%
% Women 55% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 75%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 7%

Students

 KU UVU
% In-State 58% 75%
% Out-of-State 39% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Utah Valley University is larger than than KU based on total student enrollment (43,099 students vs. 26,708 students)

KU vs. UVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU or UVU?

  • University of Kansas is 79.8% more expensive to attend than UVU for in-state tuition ($10,092.00 vs. $5,614.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57% higher at KU than Utah Valley University ($26,960.00 vs. $17,174.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Utah Valley University than KU ($9,346 vs. $18,950)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah Valley University are 9.8% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($9,234 vs. $10,136)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Utah Valley University than University of Kansas (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 206.5% larger than aid received Utah Valley University ($11,140 vs. $3,635)

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

  • Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UVU (3.52)

KU vs. UVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, KU or UVU? 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 UVU and KU.

  • The graduation rate at KU is higher than Utah Valley University (61% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $5,300 more per year than UVU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $49,300)
  • Utah Valley University students graduate with a $5,300 lower median federal student loan debt than KU graduates. ($15,200 vs. $20,500)
  • UVU graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than KU graduates. ($157 vs. $211)
  • More KU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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