Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
University of Kansas reports a middle 50% SAT of 1100 to 1290 (enrolled, fall 2026 CDS 2026-27). We use 1200 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1100 to 1290 (enrolled, fall 2026 CDS 2026-27) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 20 to 27 |
| Acceptance rate | 94.3% (fall 2026 CDS 2026-27: 20,347 admitted of 21,574 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional |
| Type | Public university |
Source: KU official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only 6.2% of KU's enrolled Fall 2026 first-years submitted an SAT score; 49.7% submitted an ACT score instead.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas | 1100 to 1290 | 94.3% |
| Kansas State University | 1060 to 1255 | Not reported |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Kansas Colleges.
Kansas's one real test-score-linked state program is the Kansas State Scholarship: a student is designated a 'Kansas State Scholar' through an index combining ACT composite and 7th-semester GPA, though the award itself then pays based on financial need, up to $1,000 a year.
Kansas State Scholarship (designation + award): Up to $1,000 per year ($500/semester), paid only if the student also shows financial need on the FAFSA. Designation as a 'Kansas State Scholar' requires completing the Kansas Scholars Curriculum and ranking in roughly the top half (about 2,500 of 5,000 students) by an index combining ACT score and GPA; the 2025 class of State Scholars averaged a 29 ACT and 3.93 GPA.
University of Kansas Chancellor's Scholarship (for contrast: GPA-only): $5,000 per year for Kansas residents with a 3.95+ GPA, down to $1,000 per year at a 3.25 GPA (non-resident tiers pay far more, up to $16,000/year at 3.95+); no SAT or ACT score factors into the award at all.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Kansas SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Virginia | 1120 to 1270 |
| Portland State University | Oregon | 1100 to 1290 |
| University of Montana | Montana | 1110 to 1280 |
| Appalachian State University | North Carolina | 1110 to 1270 |
A score that is competitive at KU lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Kansas colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1100 to 1290. A score at or above 1290 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1100 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. KU lists its policy as: Test-optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
94.3% (fall 2026 CDS 2026-27: 20,347 admitted of 21,574 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for KU? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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