University of Kansas — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Kansas charges a net price of $18,059/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $72,236. Graduates earn a median $61,945 ten years after entry, $13,585/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.3 years — a 20-year net return of $199,464, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Kansas's 5.3-year payback ranks #458 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 64% of them, and #2 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,059/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $72,236 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $61,945 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $13,585/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $199,464 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Kansas's own numbers. Net price $18,059 × 4 years = $72,236 total. Median earnings $61,945 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $13,585 a year of premium. $72,236 ÷ $13,585 = 5.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $199,464. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Kansas students graduate with?
A median $21,000 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $61,945 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Kansas students graduate?
69% finish their degree — 31% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $72,236 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,690 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Kansas expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $18,059 net price runs $2,779 above the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, or $11,116 more across the full degree.