1. Brief summary

The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, which is considered the geographic center of the United States. The university is ranked among the top 250 universities in the world based on the criteria of training quality, recruitment rate, alumni, faculty quality, publication volume, influence, citation rate, and the number of patents (Center for World University Rankings, 2018–2019).

Students at KU experience top-notch educational excellence with cutting-edge technology. In addition, they have the chance to spend time in the most unique and beautiful architectural space in the whole country.

KU’s campus features rows of historic, red-roofed homes modeled after “Hogwarts School” in the iconic Harry Potter films. It has long been one of Lawrence’s most popular tourist destinations and is the pride of many generations of Jayhawks (the name that has become synonymous with KU students).

2. General information

  • Location: Lawrence, Kansas
  • School Type: Public
  • Total number of students: More than 28,000 students including about 2,200 international students from 112 countries
  • Bachelor’s Degree Program: more than 190 majors
  • Website: https://internationalku.com/

3. Why choose the University of Kansas?

The most diverse and prestigious academic environment in the United States

  • #224 ranked the best universities in the world (Center for World University Rankings, 2018-2019)
  • #122 National University Rankings (US News & World Report, 2022)
  • KU School of Architecture and Design is one of the 10 best schools in the US and the top 17 best schools in the world in the field of specialized training (Azure Magazine, 2018)
  • #58 Best Public Universities in America (US News & World Report, 2022)
  • #64 Best Bachelor of Business Programs (US News & World Report, 2022)
  • #86 Best Bachelor of Engineering Programs (US News & World Report 2022)
  • TOP 24 Best Pharmacy Schools in the United States (US News & World Report 2020)
  • Along with MIT, Harvard, Yale, and Utah, KU is a member of the American Association of Universities – an organization of 64 of the most prestigious universities in the United States
  • KU is one of the best schools in the world for training in aircraft design, engines, and aerospace engineers

Modern and world-class facilities

The Library of KU is one of the 50 largest libraries in the US.

Annually, the US government and other prestigious private institutions provide KU with large research funds totaling up to $260 million. This has allowed KU to invest in and build the most comprehensive system of training facilities and equipment possible.

KU’s campus is home to 12 research buildings and laboratories that meet worldwide standards, as well as the Institute of Biodiversity and the Museum of Natural History, which house more than 9 million specimens ad 1.2 million ancient artifacts, including dinosaur fossils.

Home to world-renowned alumni

As one of the top research universities in the United States, KU has produced a number of Nobel laureates, well-known figures in a variety of fields, and innovations of enormous value to humanity. Specifically, KU has produced three NASA astronauts, seven renowned Pulitzer Prize winners in journalism, one Nobel Prize in economics, and seven Nobel Peace Prize winners. Lawrence was chosen as the birthplace of Google Earth due to its founder, Brian McClendon, who is a KU graduate. The first basketball course was established at the University of Kansas, more than a century ago, by a man named James Naismith. Also to have received their education at KU are Thomas Rudkin, co-creator of PowerPoint, and Elmer McCollum, the scientist who discovered vitamins A and D. Finally, world leaders and CEOs like the president of Colombia, CEO B.J. Yang of Hyundai, and former CEO of Ford Motor Company Alan Mulally all received their education at KU.

A bright career path for students in the future

KU has partnerships with more than 10,000 domestic and international businesses, including several well-known brands like Garmin, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Bayer, Cerner, Sprint, Amazon, Google, and PwC.

In today’s highly competitive global labor market, it would be hard to find a university with more internships and employment opportunities than KU’s students. The university’s career center gives 28,477 KU students access to more than 40,000 internship and job possibilities. With student success rates of up to over 90% six months after graduation, it should be no surprise that KU is ranked 26th in the US regarding graduate employability (Times Higher Education, 2016).

Advantages of the Career Accelerator Program (CAP)

Developed by Career Development Consultants, the Career Accelerator Program (CAP) equips students with vital knowledge, skills, and competitive advantages to succeed on their career development path. 

Throughout the four semesters, each student enrolled in the program will be supported by a dedicated Careers Advisor. This includes guidance on the skills required by the majority of today’s international businesses. To help students grow personally and learn how to increase their chances of landing their dream jobs, students can take part in a variety of lectures, events, meetings with employers and motivational speakers, seminars, group activities, and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

1st Semester
Career Discovery
2nd Semester
Career Orientation
3rd Semester
Career Design
4th Semester
Career Decision
Take support in finding internships/career development plans
  • Take a self-assessment
  • Build personal branding
  • Learn more about majors
  • Do research about the career path
  • Take professional communication
  • Build relationships

 

  • Research strategy
  • Practice public speaking skills
  • Take vocational guidance
  • Make a career plan
    Develop
  • professional capacity
  • Review the development progress

 

4. Strengths of the University of Kansas

  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Architecture (TOP 10)
  • Accounting (#59)
  • Education
  • Pharmacy (#24)
  • Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Chemical Engineering
  • chemistry
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science (#110)

5. About Lawrence

Lawrence is ranked as the 15th best college city in the US (Niche.com, 2018).

Lawrence was additionally chosen by Forbes magazine (2017) as one of the “Top 5 small cities” for advancing one’s career and doing business. Forbes ranks Lawrence as the fourth most promising STEM center in the United States, with job growth in this sector 3.5 times that of the national average. 

Within a 45-minute drive of Lawrence, Kansas University students can find themselves in larger cities like Kansas City and Missouri. According to the renowned real estate publication Cushman & Wakefield (2016), Kansas City is among the top 25 most developed technological cities in the US. This location is home to numerous significant businesses and firms, including PwC, Sprint, Virgin Mobile USA, and Ford Motor Company.

6. Entrance conditions, costs, and scholarships (Bachelor’s program)

Entry conditions Tuition Scholarship
GPA English level
ID (2 periods) 2.5
  • IELTS: 6.5
    (No subscore below 6.0)
  • iTEP: 4.5+
    (No subscore below 4.0)
$26,960 Up to $9,000/year
(4 years)