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K-State University of Missouri-Kansas City UNT Missouri State University-Springfield UT Arlington ESU Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Texas Tech University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska Arkansas U of A| University of Kansas | Wichita State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
KU | WSU | ||
| Location | Lawrence, KS | Wichita, KS | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 28,406 | 16,741 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #291 | #741 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ku.edu | wichita.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
KU | WSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,596 | $7,247 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $28,308 | $17,165 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,818 | $13,790 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $18,322 | $14,184 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,644 | $7,282 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 89% | 82% |
Admission |
KU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 19,226 | 8,637 | ||
| Admitted | 16,958 | 8,200 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.2% | 94.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31% | 21.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.66 | 3.48 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 18/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1290 | 970/1250 | ||
| 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 |
KU | WSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
KU | WSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 43% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,600 | $43,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 55% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,500 | $20,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $211 | $211 |
Diversity |
KU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 63% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 11% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 4% | ||
| % International | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
KU | WSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 55% | 76% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 43% | 21% | ||
Campus |
KU | WSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Kansas is larger than than WSU based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 16,741 students)
KU vs. WSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, KU or WSU?
- University of Kansas is 46.2% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($10,596.00 vs. $7,247.00)
- Out of state tuition is 64.9% higher at KU than Wichita State University ($28,308.00 vs. $17,165.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wichita State University than KU ($14,184 vs. $18,322)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 27.5% lower than costs at Wichita State University ($10,818 vs. $13,790)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Kansas than Wichita State University (89% vs. 82%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 46.2% larger than aid received Wichita State University ($10,644 vs. $7,282)
KU vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, KU or WSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WSU or KU .
- The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 56 points higher than at WSU (1089)
- Incoming KU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WSU (24)
- Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WSU (3.48)
- WSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than KU (88.2%)
KU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, KU or WSU? 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 WSU and KU.
- The graduation rate at KU is higher than Wichita State University (61% vs. 43%)
- Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $10,800 more per year than WSU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $43,800)
- Wichita State University and KU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($20,500 vs. $20,500)
- Wichita State University 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 WSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/