University of Kansas

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: GPA of 3.0 or above required. GRE is optional but strongly recommended (mean: 152V/163Q; minimum guideline: 146V/155Q). Three letters of recommendation required. Statement of Objectives and resume required. Fall priority deadline: December 15; final Fall deadline: March 1. Spring priority: September 30; final Spring deadline: October 1. International students: TOEFL 90+ iBT (mean 100) required.

About This Program

The University of Kansas MSCS program is housed in an active EECS department in Lawrence, KS. The program prepares graduates for careers at Fortune 500 companies and startups across computing, telecommunications, energy, and transportation industries. KU's EECS faculty maintain research groups in AI, ML, bioinformatics, cybersecurity, and computer vision, with access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

Career Outcomes

Research-focused MSCS at the University of Kansas EECS department in Lawrence, with AI/ML focus areas, thesis and coursework options, and strong assistantship funding across computing, telecom, energy, and transportation sectors.

• 1. Software Engineer
• 2. ML / AI Engineer
• 3. Data Scientist
• 4. Research Scientist
• 5. Systems Engineer

What You'll Learn

• Select a focus area (AI, cybersecurity, computing in biosciences, or computer systems design) and work closely with a faculty adviser.
• Complete breadth and depth coursework across algorithms, systems, and AI/ML tracks.
• Access research facilities and collaborate in funded research groups.
• Build a thesis or capstone project demonstrating applied research skills.

Curriculum Highlights

The MS in Computer Science at the University of Kansas is offered through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). Students choose focus areas early in the program and work with a faculty adviser on thesis or project research. The department's research spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, bioinformatics, computer vision, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction. Graduate coursework covers algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, software engineering, and advanced AI/ML topics. Both thesis and coursework-only paths are available; thesis students must complete and defend original research. More than 75% of EECS graduate students receive funding through assistantships or fellowships. Catalog: catalog.ku.edu.

Top Employers

Fortune 500 technology firms, telecommunications companies, energy sector employers, regional healthcare tech; verify current placement through KU Engineering career services.

Admissions

GPA of 3.0 or above required. GRE is optional but strongly recommended (mean: 152V/163Q; minimum guideline: 146V/155Q). Three letters of recommendation required. Statement of Objectives and resume required. Fall priority deadline: December 15; final Fall deadline: March 1. Spring priority: September 30; final Spring deadline: October 1. International students: TOEFL 90+ iBT (mean 100) required.

Application Materials

• GRE General: Optional but strongly recommended (school code 6871)
• Statement of Objectives: Required
• Resume/CV: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: Three required
• Official Transcripts: Required
• TOEFL: Required for international students (90+ iBT)
• Financial Statement: International students only

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related discipline; 3.0 GPA
• GRE/GMAT: Optional but recommended (146V/155Q minimum guideline)
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international applicants (TOEFL 90+ iBT)