University of Kansas

Today, our enrollment approaches 30,000. We have grown to five campuses from that single building — the Lawrence campus, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, and medical branches in Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina. The once barren landscape has grown into a wooded campus considered one of the most beautiful nations.
We embrace our role as the state's flagship university and a premier research institution, serving the state, nation, and world. We celebrate the energy and compassion that infuse the Jayhawk spirit. And we remain true to our historical values: the elevating force of education, the transformative power of research, and the healing power of service.
Founded by abolitionists in 1854, Lawrence, Kansas, has carried that tradition of freedom and individuality through the generations. Today, Lawrence remains a crossroads of culture, celebrating the artists and innovators that populate its history and create an unmistakable identity.
Start on Mount Oread, where you will encounter a campus resonating with excitement. Walk down the Hill and mingle with the crowds of locals and visitors bustling through downtown Massachusetts Street. Broaden your reach and explore the open-air and outdoor activities within the city limits — and beyond.
5,000 courses. More than 400 degree and certificate programs. And 2,800 faculty members, many of them at the top of their fields. In KU's dynamic, cross-disciplinary research and learning environment, students exchange ideas, discover new ways of processing the world, and address society's grand challenges.
The Center for Undergraduate Research supports mentorship programs and opportunities to begin research or creative projects as early as your freshman year. Pursue a graduate degree on the Lawrence campus, at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City or the Edwards Campus in Overland Park or online and distance programs. Please take what you learn in the classroom and use it in the real world. An experiential learning certificate on your transcript highlights your experience.
Whether you are just starting your college career, transferring from another school, or pursuing graduate opportunities, KU gives you the tools you need to transform our world — and shape your future. You have worked hard. You have planned for this moment. Now claim your place at KU.
As one of only 34 U.S. public institutions in the Association of American Universities, KU has a distinguished research innovation record. Through independent, multidisciplinary research centers, students and faculty collaborate on solutions that transform and improve our world. Consistently discovering breakthroughs in medicine, technology, engineering, and many other fields and industries, our graduate and postdoctoral researchers push the limits of what's possible in our growing global society.
Go beyond the classroom and expand what it means to study a discipline. As an undergraduate, you'll work alongside faculty to explore your major in ways limited only by your curiosity. Campus life is more than academics. At KU, you will contribute to the tradition of artists, leaders, and innovators who inspire us — and you'll reflect the inclusivity and ambition at the heart of our legacy. And sometimes, you will have fun. Each year, KU students create hundreds of clubs and organize hundreds of events. When you are a Jayhawk, life is defined by a culture of collaboration.
To experience KU fandom is to experience KU history. From the roar of Allen Fieldhouse to the haunting call of our Rock Chalk Chant as it rises over campus, you do not just witness Jayhawk spirit — you feel it. We believe in building a community of Jayhawks, which begins with student involvement and leadership on campus. Whether you are catching a live show or checking out the latest student exhibition, it's clear that we embrace a culture that promises to leave a mark on the world at KU.
Breathe the air, climb the hills, gaze at the stars. Go beyond the city life and see why Lawrence is a favorite among people looking to get out and get active. In Lawrence, you are never far from your destination. Our bus system can get you almost anywhere in town, and we are just a 45-minute drive to Kansas City International Airport.
You have made an excellent choice to attend the University of Kansas. The Office of the First-Year Experience works with you as you transition into the university. Our programs are designed to challenge and support students across the first year and connect you to outstanding learning opportunities to help you achieve your academic goals. Your education at KU means far more than grades. You will acquire confidence in asking questions and thinking critically. You will engage with viewpoints different than your own and discover how collaboration across disciplines can help us to solve some of society's most complicated problems. You will also have transformative experiences that extend your learning beyond the classroom, such as study abroad, undergraduate research, and service-learning.
There is much to look forward to during your first year at KU. First-Year Experience programs connect you to outstanding faculty, staff, and fellow students. We invite you to read more about our programs and to contact us with questions.
We look forward to seeing what you achieve at KU.