University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) vs University of Kansas (KU)

Nestled in the heartland of America, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Kansas (KU) stand as prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique identities. UNL boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. KU, on the other hand, enjoys a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating its dedication to nurturing students' academic journeys. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details, including popular majors, student body demographics, and more, to discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Kansas	University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Overview
Location	Lawrence, Kansas	Lincoln, Nebraska
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	80.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.5%	81.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1090 - 1330	1090 - 1320
ACT range	21 - 29	22 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	12.0%	8.0%
Students submitting ACT score	80.0%	85.0%
Total number of applicants	15,275	17,775
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	14,411
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,119	4,736
Yield rate	29.2%	32.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,259 Out of state: $42,127	In state: $26,316 Out of state: $43,446
Average net price	$18,608	$18,403
Tuition	In state: $10,092 Out of state: $26,960	In state: $7,770 Out of state: $24,900
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,100 Meal plan: $3,800	Room/dormitory: $7,485 Meal plan: $4,653
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $10,408	96.0% Average amount $8,608
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,220	34.0% Average amount $4,691
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $13,036	5.0% Average amount $13,909

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,158 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	19,552 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%
Graduate students	7,622 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%	4,879 Men 49.2% Women 50.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	41.5%	25.7%
International students	6.8%	7.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,235	6,936
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Kansas Missouri Illinois Texas Colorado	Nebraska Illinois Minnesota Kansas Iowa

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.0%	66.4%
Dropout rate	7.8%	10.7%
Transferred out	24.6%	21.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,586 Year 2: $170,720 Year 3: $156,139 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $112,189 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $123,797 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,966 Year 2: $73,299 Year 3: $88,195 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,179 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $81,042 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,614 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,617 Year 2: $72,625 Year 3: $77,366 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,974 Year 2: $66,001 Year 3: $73,900 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,436 Year 2: $59,722 Year 3: $72,306 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,919 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $68,960 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $56,347 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $68,650	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,695 Year 2: $91,017 Year 3: $102,607 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $74,888 Year 2: $78,134 Year 3: $86,893 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,533 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $86,584 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,494 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $78,265 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,969 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $75,873 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,040 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $74,823 Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $73,798 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $61,124 Year 2: $58,402 Year 3: $73,111 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,572 Year 2: $66,168 Year 3: $72,183 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,299 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $71,063

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Kansas (KU)?

UNL and KU are both excellent public universities in the Midwest, but they have distinct characteristics. UNL, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, is known for its strong agricultural programs, engineering, and Big Ten athletics. KU, situated in Lawrence, Kansas, is renowned for its journalism, pharmacy, and basketball program. UNL tends to have a slightly larger undergraduate population and a more pronounced focus on agricultural sciences, while KU boasts a more vibrant arts and culture scene, particularly in Lawrence.
How do the academic reputations of UNL and KU compare?

Both UNL and KU hold strong academic reputations. UNL is particularly well-regarded for its programs in agriculture, engineering, architecture, and law. KU is highly respected for its journalism, pharmacy, special education, and public administration programs. Both universities are Carnegie R1 research institutions, indicating very high research activity. The 'best' reputation depends on your specific field of study.
What is the cost of attendance at UNL versus KU?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. Generally, UNL and KU have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at KU tends to be slightly higher than at UNL. It's crucial to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as to explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between UNL and KU?

UNL's campus in Lincoln offers a traditional college town experience with a strong sense of community, particularly around athletics. Lincoln is a relatively large city, providing a mix of urban and rural influences. KU's campus in Lawrence is known for its beautiful setting on Mount Oread and its vibrant arts and music scene. Lawrence is a classic college town with a lively downtown area and a strong emphasis on arts and culture. Both universities offer a wide range of student organizations and activities.
What are the athletic programs like at UNL and KU?

Both UNL and KU have strong athletic programs. UNL is a member of the Big Ten Conference and is particularly known for its football program. KU is a member of the Big 12 Conference and is famous for its basketball program, which has a long and storied history. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and have passionate fan bases.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UNL or KU?

Career opportunities after graduation depend on your field of study. UNL graduates often find opportunities in agriculture, engineering, business, and government sectors, particularly in the Midwest. KU graduates have strong prospects in journalism, healthcare, education, and business, with opportunities available both regionally and nationally. Both universities have career services centers that provide resources and support to students seeking employment.
How do the cities of Lincoln and Lawrence compare?

Lincoln, Nebraska, is the state capital and a larger city than Lawrence, Kansas. It offers a more diverse economy and a wider range of cultural attractions. Lawrence is a smaller, more quintessential college town with a strong focus on arts, music, and local businesses. Both cities offer a good quality of life, but Lawrence has a more distinct and vibrant college town atmosphere.
What types of students would thrive at UNL versus KU?

Students who are interested in agriculture, engineering, or a traditional Big Ten college experience might thrive at UNL. Students who are passionate about journalism, the arts, or a vibrant college town atmosphere might find KU a better fit. Both universities offer a supportive and challenging academic environment, so students who are motivated and engaged will likely succeed at either institution.
Are there any specific programs that one university is significantly better known for than the other?

Yes. UNL is particularly renowned for its agricultural sciences, animal science, and engineering programs. KU is exceptionally well-regarded for its journalism, pharmacy, special education, and city management programs. If you're interested in these specific fields, it's worth researching the specific departments and faculty at each university.
How do the acceptance rates and average test scores compare between UNL and KU?

Historically, UNL has had a slightly higher acceptance rate than KU, making it marginally less selective. However, both universities are considered accessible to qualified students. The average ACT/SAT scores for admitted students are generally comparable between the two institutions. Check the official university websites for the most current admissions statistics.

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