University of Kansas Ranking| KU Rankings 2025

Lawrence, Kansas, United States Of America Government Estd: 1865 Gender: Coed
Angel Youth Education TeamContent writer
Updated At : Sep 28, 2026 09:20 PM

The University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas, is recognized for its academic excellence and strong reputation in various fields of study. KU consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States and is known for its contributions to research, innovation, and the development of a well-rounded student body. 

University of Kansas Lawrence Ranking

The university is highly regarded in both national and international rankings, reflecting its commitment to delivering quality education and fostering an environment that supports academic growth, student achievement, and research initiatives. KU’s strengths in health sciences, engineering, business, and liberal arts play a significant role in its high rankings, which attract students from all over the world seeking to benefit from its world-class faculty, resources, and facilities.

Ranking Organization

2024 Ranking

Specialization

Key Factor for Ranking

U.S. News & World Report

#113 National

Top Public University

Research funding, faculty quality

QS World University Rankings

#301-350 Global

Engineering, Health

International faculty, research output

Times Higher Education

#401-500 Global

Humanities, Business

Global partnerships, innovation

Academic Ranking of World Universities

#401-500 Global

Research Excellence

High academic reputation, global impact

KU’s strong ranking is indicative of its continuous investment in improving the student experience, academic resources, and faculty expertise. Students benefit from a diverse and rich academic environment, preparing them for success in an increasingly competitive global market.

The University of Kansas holds significant rankings in global and national platforms. KU consistently secures top positions among U.S. public universities, with strong showings in both global and national rankings. The university's emphasis on quality education, research, and student success has contributed to its growing reputation across disciplines. The university is particularly well-regarded in fields like health sciences, engineering, business, and social sciences, which often place it among the top institutions in the country. 

KU's position in global rankings, such as those published by QS and Times Higher Education, is reflective of its growing international stature, marked by strong faculty performance, cutting-edge research contributions, and an increasing number of global collaborations. The university has positioned itself as a key player in the higher education sector, particularly in STEM fields, thanks to its innovative research programs and partnerships with global industry leaders.

Ranking Body

National Rank

Global Rank

Strengths

U.S. News & World Report

#113

N/A

Public university excellence

QS World University Rankings

N/A

#301-350

Engineering, Health sciences

Times Higher Education

N/A

#401-500

Humanities, Business

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)

N/A

#401-500

Research output, faculty expertise

Key Ranking Bodies and Reports 

  • U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News ranks universities based on factors like academic reputation, faculty quality, and research funding. KU is consistently ranked in the top 150 universities nationwide, particularly excelling in areas like engineering and business.

  • QS World University Rankings: QS ranks universities globally based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research output. KU ranks within the 301-350 range globally, with particular strengths in engineering and health sciences.

  • Times Higher Education (THE): THE rankings evaluate institutions globally based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. KU ranks in the 401-500 range, reflecting its strong teaching and research contributions.

  • Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): ARWU ranks universities worldwide by research output and academic quality. KU's ranking in the 401-500 range demonstrates its growing research capabilities and academic impact.

  • The Princeton Review: The Princeton Review evaluates universities based on student surveys and academic factors. KU consistently receives high marks for student satisfaction, campus life, and academic programs.

  • Forbes America's Top Colleges: Forbes ranks universities based on student outcomes, including alumni salary and employment rates. KU holds a respectable position among U.S. public universities.

  • Washington Monthly: This ranking body evaluates universities based on social mobility, research, and public service. KU performs well in areas such as student engagement and community outreach.

  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Ranking: The NSF ranks universities by their research expenditures. KU’s position in this ranking highlights its commitment to research funding and high-impact studies in diverse fields.

Ranking Body

KU’s Position

Strengths

Key Focus

U.S. News & World Report

#113

Public university focus

Research funding, faculty quality

QS World University Rankings

#301-350

Engineering, Health

International faculty, research output

Times Higher Education

#401-500

Humanities, Business

Global partnerships, innovation

ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)

#401-500

Research excellence

Academic reputation, global impact

The University of Kansas (KU) is one of the leading public research universities in the United States. The QS World University Rankings are one of the most recognized global rankings, evaluating universities based on several factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, and international diversity. While KU is not in the top 100 globally, it has shown consistent performance in regional rankings and specific subject areas.

Ranking Category

QS World University Ranking

Rank Range

Area of Strength

Overall University Ranking

Not ranked in top 500 globally

Top 800 globally

Strong regional reputation

Subject-Specific Rankings

Engineering: 400-450 globally

Top 100 in U.S.

Focus on research and innovation

 

Computer Science: 500-550 globally

Top 50 in U.S.

Well-regarded in STEM fields

Academic Reputation

3.4/5

-

High for research and teaching

Employer Reputation

3.3/5

-

Strong links with industry

International Diversity

4/5

-

Growing international student population

Ranking  Insights:

  • Overall Ranking: KU does not feature in the QS Global Top 500 but is recognized as a regional leader, especially in engineering and computer science. KU’s academic reputation and research output contribute significantly to its regional rankings.

  • Engineering and Computer Science: KU ranks between 400 and 450 globally for Engineering and 500-550 for Computer Science, making it a competitive institution for students pursuing careers in these fields.

  • Subject-Specific Strength: While KU may not be in the global top 100, its research, innovation, and faculty in specific disciplines such as engineering, computer science, and business help it maintain a strong regional ranking in the U.S.

  • Reputation with Employers: KU has a solid employer reputation, contributing to good internship and job placement rates for students in various fields.

Frequently Asked Questions

KU ranks between #301-350 globally, with notable strengths in engineering, health sciences, and research.
KU is ranked #113 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, highlighting its strong reputation in public university education.
KU excels in engineering, business, health sciences, and humanities.
Key factors include faculty expertise, research output, innovative academic programs, and graduate employability.
While KU is not specifically an applied sciences university, its blend of research-focused programs in applied fields places it among top institutions in the U.S.
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