University of Kansas

Overview

Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas (KU) is a major public research university and a proud member of the Association of American Universities. The university was established following a 1863 promise by the Kansas state governor to build the institution in Lawrence, contingent upon local residents raising a $15,000 endowment and donating land for the project. Generous contributions from philanthropist Amos Adams Lawrence and local citizens made this vision a reality.

KU is home to over 370 academic programs across 13 schools, offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees. The university boasts a diverse international student body, with over 2,000 students from more than 110 countries, creating a globally engaged academic environment. The university excels in areas like aerospace, civil, and petroleum engineering, rural medicine, nursing, social welfare, and clinical psychology, among others.

The main campus in Lawrence, along with additional locations in Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita, and Salina, are known for their picturesque grounds, including a mix of historic red-roofed buildings and modern facilities. KU's notable alumni include two Nobel Laureates, 13 former state governors, and prominent figures such as astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto, and three former NASA astronauts.