The University of Kansas KU School of Business ranked 100th in Poets&Quants‘ 2025 Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S. In the three methodological categories, the school placed 95th in Admission Standards, 82nd in Career Outcomes, and 101st in Academic Experience.
The school maintains an acceptance rate of 100%, with an average SAT score of 1140 and a six-year graduation rate of 87.1%.
KU strongly emphasizes career preparedness, as evidenced by its 99% internship rate for the Class of 2024. Employment outcomes remained consistent, with 79.01% of 2023 graduates and 72.73% of 2024 graduates securing full-time employment within three months of graduation.
The average starting salary for 2024 graduates was $63,811, with an average signing bonus of $5,594. Notably, the percentage of graduates receiving signing bonuses increased from 28% in 2023 to 36% in 2024. Top employers include Lockton, Netsmart, EY, Shamrock Trading Corporation, Kiewit, Creative Planning, Deloitte, PwC, Grant Thornton, Select Quote, Oracle, and Spring Venture Group.
HANDS-ON BUSINESS EDUCATION
The KU School of Business stands out for its commitment to experiential learning, ensuring that students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges. Case competitions, consulting projects, and co-curricular programs are embedded throughout the undergraduate curriculum, offering hands-on experience that enhances students’ professional skills. The school also requires all undergraduate students to complete an internship where they take on significant business-related responsibilities while engaging with supervisors, coworkers, and clients.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) degree with a major in Accounting, Business Analytics, Information Systems, Finance, Management and Leadership, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. The school also offers a co-major in International Business for students interested in global markets, trade, and international finance. Additionally, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree is available online, providing flexible learning options for working professionals.
The program structure provides students with the flexibility to explore their interests, allowing them until their junior year to declare a major. Many students opt for double majors, either within the business school or in a non-business discipline, broadening their academic experience and career opportunities. The 310-level courses serve as an introduction to different business disciplines, where students engage with faculty mentors specializing in various industries, helping them explore career paths and develop specialized expertise.
Professional development is woven throughout the curriculum, addressing both student needs and employer demands. Undergraduate students complete six one-credit courses focused on professional skills, including a required internship and concurrent class that reinforces workplace readiness. Additionally, students earn points through outside-of-course activities as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program. These point-eligible activities include networking events, industry certifications, and professional development workshops. Faculty and advisors provide tailored career guidance, ensuring students receive support that aligns with their specific academic and professional goals.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FOCUS
To graduate, students must complete either four semesters of foreign language coursework or six credit hours of study abroad or internationally focused business courses. The school’s Global Business Studies office provides access to international internships and study-abroad opportunities, encouraging students to develop a global perspective on business and markets.
In the past three years, the school has revamped its entrepreneurship programs, renewing its focus on building an innovation mindset and entrepreneurial competency among students. Updates to the entrepreneurship minor and certificate included new course requirements, and both programs are now open to all KU students, regardless of major.
The school also relaunched two co-curricular programs: Jayhawk Consulting and The Catalyst. Through Jayhawk Consulting, students gain hands-on experience in advisory and consulting services by working with businesses in Lawrence and the surrounding region. The Catalyst provides students with a structured program for developing business ideas, refining business plans, and working with industry mentors and peer leaders to bring concepts to life.
The EY Business Professional Development Program, originally launched in 2020–21, has continued to evolve, integrating enhanced career development activities such as free access to LinkedIn Learning. The program has expanded to include career advisors, curriculum coordinators, lecturers, program specialists, and Area Industry Mentors (AIMs). AIMs work directly with students to help them identify industry focus areas, build specialized skill sets, and develop career strategies tailored to their fields of interest.
ALUMNI SAY
“Absolutely incredible experience. Really cannot say anything bad. I am living an incredible life and my time at KU is a large contributor.”
“KU was the best decision I’ve ever made. Every day I think about the classes I took and reflect on my time there as a student. The challenging coursework only prepared me more for what I do day to day. It was also the classes that taught interpersonal skills that helped me even more.”
“Would especially plug the KU Accounting program. But overall I truly believe I got as good of an education there as I would have had at any of the higher ranked state school business schools.”
