Higher Education / City of Lawrence Economic Development

Smart Choices in Higher Education

The impact and contributions of higher education for Lawrence and Douglas County reaches every part of our culture, economy, workforce, and the lives of our community. We are home to the University of Kansas, a top-tier research university, and Haskell Indian Nations University, a premier tribal university, representing more than 150 federally recognized sovereign nations from 38 states.

Nearby Baker University in Baldwin City, a respected private college, is only 16 miles from Lawrence. Additionally, there are also 50 other colleges, universities, and training centers within close proximity to Lawrence.

More than 54.9% of our population (ages 25-64) have a bachelor’s or higher degree versus 35% nationally.

Convenient access to advanced learning and training has helped to populate Lawrence with a highly educated and available workforce, featuring a high concentration of entrepreneurs, a multicultural base, and a rich diversity of thoughts, experience, and skills.

students walking past Jayhawk statue with blooming red and yellow tulips in the foreground at KU

KU

University of Kansas

KU is a public university and the state’s flagship institution. Designated a “Very High Research Activity” university in the Carnegie Classifications, KU is among a distinct group of 38 public institutions in the Association of American Universities.

The university’s five campuses, including its main campus in Lawrence, house 14 academic schools and offer over 400 degree and certificate programs to approximately 30,000 students each year, drawing over one-third of its students from out of state and more than 100 countries. It is also the largest employer in Lawrence with nearly 9,000 employees.

KU has the largest concentration of life science research entities in the state and also leads in science, business, engineering, and the arts and humanities. The university’s research efforts have received over $300 million in external funding to power their mission in addressing global challenges, and the university is investing more than $12 million into its four interdisciplinary Research Rising projects.

The results of KU research go beyond traditional academia, furthering regional economic development, developing new workforce talent, and helping to create business startups and innovating inventions, with benefits that can be felt, at home and around the world.

TopUniversities.com

Top Ranked Programs

Education

Occupational therapy

Petroleum engineering

Physical therapy

Public administration

Special education

Speech-language-pathology

Taking The Field

As a member of the Big 12 Conference, athletics play a large role at the University of Kansas and for the City of Lawrence, with 16 Jayhawk varsity and club-level men’s and women’s sports attracting businesses, tourism, and generations of fans.

Allen Fieldhouse is home to one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country with multiple national championships and conference titles.
David Booth Kansas Memorial football stadium (The Booth) is undergoing a $448 million major renovation. The project also includes the renovation and expansion of the Anderson Family Football Complex and creation of the KU Gateway District, providing future conference, entertainment, and retail space.

HINU

Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University is a public tribal land-grant university founded in 1884 and provides a quality education to Native American students. The student population at this four-year liberal arts college generally averages between 700-1,000 students per semester, and all students are members of federally recognized tribes. Haskell’s faculty and staff are also predominantly native.

Haskell University is made up of a College of Natural and Social Sciences, a College of Humanities, and Professional Schools (Business, Education, and Health, Sport, and Exercise Science). Its academic programs include a General Education foundation to prepare students for their educational journey, along with Associate and Baccalaureate degree programs.

The university’s Athletic Department features Men and Women’s teams in basketball, gold, track, softball, and volleyball.

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Cheerleaders at Baker College football field performing for homecoming

Baker University

Located in Baldwin City, Baker University is a premier private university with four schools – College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Professional and Graduate Studies, and School of Education – providing over 50 academic and training programs and graduating students with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates. Popular majors include business, education, nursing, and psychology.

Founded in 1858 as the first university in Kansas, Baker today enrolls approximately 2,105 (2022) students annually, comprised of nearly equal numbers of full-time and part-time students. Classes are offered on campus, online, or in a hybrid format at multiple locations.

With an active Athletic Department, Baker University team sports include men’s (10), women’s (11), and co-ed sports (4), including Esports.

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Technical Schools and Community Colleges

Lawrence, KS also has access to technical schools and community colleges that provide valuable hands-on training and education in a wide range of industries. These institutions equip students with practical skills that are in high demand, from healthcare and skilled trades to IT and manufacturing.

Career Development Opportunities