National guidance counselor survey: KU offers 'best value for your tuition dollar'

KU has been cited as an "excellent and affordable choice for Midwestern students" and a "best value" in the country by a new college guide based on a national survey of guidance counselors.

KU is recognized as a top school in the nation for offering "the best value for your tuition dollar" by "The Unofficial, Unbiased Insider's Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges," which is based on results from Kaplan's Annual National High School Guidance Counselors Survey.

Compared with area universities, using the recently approved tuition rates for 2002-03, KU in-state annual tuition and fees are $1,798, or 51.6 percent below in-state tuition and fees at the University of Missouri; $707, or 20 percent, less than the University of Iowa; and $611, or 17.5 percent, below the University of Nebraska.

KU offers "tremendous athletics and a great assortment of majors at a very attractive price," the Kaplan guide states.

It highlights the programs in architecture, pre-med studies, nursing, pharmacy, engineering and journalism as among KU's best. The guide also calls the Spanish and Portuguese programs "exceptional" and lauds KU faculty as "remarkably accessible." In addition, it says that KU students "highly recommend KU's honors program for its small classes and caring advisers."

"KU is proud to provide Kansas students with nationally ranked academic programs and highly skilled instructors and researchers while still keeping tuition affordable," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

On June 27, the Kansas Board of Regents approved the following tuition and fees per semester for KU as of fall 2002. (The increase over fall 2001 rates appears in parentheses):

- Kansas resident undergraduates: $1,741.75 ($300), based on 15 credit hours
- Nonresident undergraduates: $5,343.25 ($438), based on 15 hours
- Resident graduate students: $1,894.90 ($258.60), based on 12 hours
- Nonresident graduate students: $4,944.10 ($375.60), based on 12 hours
- Resident medical students: $6,447 ($992)
- Nonresident medical students: $13,638 ($1,077)

For the first time, a KU tuition increase has included a substantial boost in financial aid. Last week (July 3) award letters went out to approximately 3,900 students eligible for $2.2 million in tuition grants KU is setting aside to address additional unmet need created by the tuition increase. Subsequent awards will be made as additional financial aid applications are received, until the full $2.2 million is expended.

KU tuition grants are on top of the approximate $128 million in student financial aid and scholarships provided to KU students each year from all sources -- federal, state, KU Endowment Association and other sources.

For more information about KU tuition, go to http://www.ku.edu/tuition/

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