Kansas University's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with a main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, and two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area. KU has seen a steady increase in its student population in recent years, with a total of 26,708 students enrolled across its three campuses in 2022. This includes 23,872 students at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses and an additional 2,836 students at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). In 2023, the total undergraduate enrollment was 20,696, with a record-breaking freshman class of 5,323 students in 2024, the largest in the university's 159-year history. KU's overall enrollment has grown by 4.8% to 30,770, the highest ever in the institution's history.

Kansas University's undergraduate enrollment

The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. It also has two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area: the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, and the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

According to annual data released in January 2025, KU has its largest freshman class and highest overall enrollment in its 159-year history. The record-setting freshman class includes 5,323 new students, an increase of 1.2% from the previous year. This means that the freshman class for the fall of 2024 was the largest in the university's history.

KU's overall enrollment has grown by 4.8% to 30,770, surpassing the previous record of 30,102 set in 2008. This increase includes a 5.6% jump at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses (which are counted together) and a 0.1% decrease at the KU Medical Center campuses.

KU's undergraduate enrollment for the fall of 2023 was 20,696 students. This number does not include the number of undergraduate students enrolled at the KU Medical Center.

In addition to its large size, the freshman class of 2024 is also notable for its talent and diversity. The class has a record-high average high school GPA of 3.68, and minority students comprise 26.5% of the class. Additionally, 45% of the class is made up of out-of-state students, which is a record high for KU.

KU's retention and graduation rates are also impressive. The university retained a record-high 86.5% of the previous year's freshmen, and it has achieved record-high four-year, five-year, and six-year graduation rates.

The undergraduate enrollment at KU consists of a diverse group of students with varying backgrounds and interests. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and supports its students in their pursuit of higher education.

The number of graduate students

The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. The university has a total of five campuses, including two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

As of fall 2022, KU had a total enrollment of 26,708 students across its three main campuses, with 23,872 students enrolled at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses combined, and an additional 2,836 students enrolled at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).

While the total number of graduate students at KU is not specified, we can estimate it based on the available data. In fall 2023, KU had a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,696 students. This means that the remaining 6,012 students (26,708 - 20,696) enrolled at KU in fall 2022 were likely graduate students or students enrolled in other non-undergraduate programs. It's important to note that this number may include students enrolled in professional programs or certificates that are not at the graduate level.

KU's Edwards Campus in Overland Park, which was established in 1993, specifically caters to adult learners, offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Approximately 2,000 students attend the Edwards Campus, with an average age of 31. This suggests that a significant portion of KU's graduate students may be enrolled at the Edwards Campus.

Additionally, the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) offers graduate programs in medicine, nursing, and health professions. As of the Fall 2013 semester, there were 3,349 students enrolled at KU Med, and it also offers a four-year medical program at its Wichita campus. The specific number of graduate students enrolled at KUMC is not provided, but it contributes to the overall graduate student population at KU.

KU also offers graduate programs through its various schools, including the School of Architecture, Design & Planning; School of Business; School of Education; School of Engineering; School of Health Professions; School of Journalism & Mass Communications; School of Law; School of Music; School of Nursing; School of Pharmacy; and School of Social Welfare. The specific enrollment numbers for each graduate program are not provided, but the presence of these programs contributes to the overall graduate student population at KU.

In summary, while the exact number of graduate students at the University of Kansas is not specified, we can estimate it to be around 6,000 or more based on the total enrollment numbers and undergraduate enrollment figures. The graduate student population is distributed across KU's multiple campuses and various schools and programs, with a significant number likely enrolled at the Edwards Campus and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The student body composition

The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. The university has two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. There are also educational and research sites in several other cities in Kansas.

As of Fall 2022, KU had a total enrollment of 26,708 students across its three campuses, including the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). The Lawrence and Edwards campuses together had 23,872 students enrolled, with an additional 2,836 students enrolled at KUMC.

KU's student body is diverse, with a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds represented. The enrolled student population across all campuses and programs is 66.7% White, 8.9% Hispanic or Latino, 5.99% Asian, 5.18% Two or More Races, 4.41% Black or African American, 0.528% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0711% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. Additionally, 366 students, or about 1.37%, did not report their race.

In terms of gender, there is also diversity within the student body. In 2022, 56.9% of the degrees awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at KU were given to women, while 43.1% were awarded to men. This trend is also seen in the full-time undergraduate programs, where the most common student demographic is White Female (37.1%), followed by White Male (32.2%), and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.73%).

KU also has a significant number of military-affiliated students, with 1,713 undergraduate students, or 7.9% of the undergraduate student body, identifying as military-affiliated. This includes 181 students in the National Guard or Reserves and 1,198 dependents or spouses. The university also has a growing number of veterans, with 2,258 veterans, active-duty, and military-connected students as of 2024, an increase of 17.4% from the previous year.

In addition to its racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, KU's student body also showcases a range of academic interests and backgrounds. The university offers over 345 degree programs, with the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations in 2022 being General Psychology, General Finance, and Registered Nursing. The university also attracts students with a variety of academic achievements, with an average high school GPA of 3.68 for the incoming freshman class of 2024, and a range of extracurricular interests, with many students participating in athletics, debate, and other extracurricular activities.

The acceptance rate

The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas. It also has two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and other educational and research sites across the state.

KU's acceptance rate for undergraduate applications in 2022 was 87.8%, a slight decrease from the previous year's rate of 92.5%. In 2022, the university received 16,204 undergraduate applications, an increase of 6.08% from 2021. Of these, 14,234 applicants were accepted, with an overall enrollment yield of 31.3%. This means that out of all the applicants who were offered admission, approximately one-third chose to enrol at KU.

KU's acceptance rate is relatively high compared to other similar universities. However, it's important to note that the acceptance rate can vary from year to year, depending on factors such as the number of applicants and the availability of spaces. Additionally, acceptance rates can be influenced by the selectivity of the university, with more selective institutions typically having lower acceptance rates.

KU's large enrollment and acceptance rate contribute to its diverse student body. The university enrols students from across Kansas, the nation, and the world, with a significant number of out-of-state and international students. In 2022, the freshman class included a record-high number of minority students, comprising 26.5% of the class, and the university as a whole had its highest-ever minority student enrollment, with 7,960 students from minority backgrounds.

The graduation rate

The University of Kansas (KU) is a large, state-sponsored university with five campuses. The university's main campus is in Lawrence, Kansas, with two branch campuses in the Kansas City metropolitan area: the university's medical school and hospital in Kansas City, and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

According to data from 2022, KU had a total enrollment of 26,708 students across its three main campuses, including the Lawrence, Edwards, and University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) campuses. Of these, 23,872 students were enrolled at the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, and 2,836 students were enrolled at the KUMC.

KU offers more than 345 degree programs and is a member of the Association of American Universities, classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university employed 3,196 faculty members in fall 2022, including faculty, faculty administrators, librarians, and unclassified academic staff.

KU's annual Traditions Night in August 2024 welcomed the largest freshman class in the university's 159-year history, with 5,323 new students. This contributed to the university's highest-ever overall enrollment, which grew by 4.8% to 30,770.

KU has reported record-setting retention and graduation rates. In 2024, KU retained 86.5% of the previous year's freshmen and achieved record-high four-year, five-year, and six-year graduation rates. The exact figures for these graduation rates are not available, but data from 2022 shows that 46% of students at KU graduated within 100% of "normal time" (i.e., four years for a four-year degree), while 63% graduated within 150% of normal time (six years for a four-year degree).

The University of Kansas is committed to supporting its students throughout their academic journey and is proud of its record-setting retention and graduation rates. These achievements reflect the university's dedication to creating a positive and academically enriching environment for its students.

Frequently asked questions