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Welcome to UMKC! We are excited for your student to join our welcoming and diverse community of UMKC Kangaroos.

Transitioning to college is a big step in your student's journey. And we want you to feel comfortable and confident in their decision to attend UMKC.

Our faculty and staff are focused on your student's success, both inside and outside the classroom. We provide several resources, like Academic Support and Mentoring, to empower students to accomplish their goals. Their success is our success. Partnering together, we hope to empower our students with the knowledge and skills they need to craft the career of their dreams.

As you help your student to prepare for life at college, please don't hesitate to reach out to our offices with any questions you may have. As an aid, we've developed this Insider's Guide to College to help you and your student make this exciting transition.

Perks of Being a Roo

There are a lot of reasons our students love UMKC, and we've compiled a list of the perks they mention the most.

Academic Excellence

  • More than 125 academic programs available
  • Small class sizes create opportunities for faculty mentors
  • More than 80% of full-time faculty hold the highest degree in their field
  • Additional opportunities available in Honors College, Study Abroad and Research
Academic Programs

Affordability

  • More than $190 million in financial aid is awarded to UMKC students each year
  • More than 90% of freshmen and 75% of transfers receive some combination of financial aid
  • Wide range of scholarships for good grades or leadership skills
  • Kansas residents qualify for in-state undergraduate tuition and students in 15 states get a discount
Find Aid

Internships and Jobs

  • Each year 5,100+ jobs are posted on the UMKC Career Network by 1,400+ employers
  • Students meet professionals through guest lectures and campus networking events
  • Kansas City is home to major employers and is a great environment for entrepreneurs
Career Services

Alumni Connections

  • UMKC has a vast, worldwide alumni network
  • Successful alumni include award-winning musicians, medical professionals, lawyers, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs
  • Around 50% of alumni choose to live and work in Kansas City
UMKC Alumni

Diverse Campus

  • Our student body of 16,000+ hail from all 50 states and 85+ countries
  • Special events and programs offered through several organizations, like Multicultural Student Association and LGBTQIA
  • Unique scholarship opportunities available for minority students
Diversity and Inclusion

Student Housing

  • Modern, fully furnished residence halls and apartment complex
  • Campus safety is a priority, with convenient parking, ID card dorm access and UMKC police available 24/7
  • Students who live on campus average a higher GPA (3.2) than those who live off campus
Residential Life

Health and Wellness

  • Health Services offered at on-campus clinic at little-to-no cost
  • Counseling Services available at little-to-no cost to help students with college life and mental health
  • Wellness opportunities and facilities available through Swinney Recreation Center
Student Health

Life in Kansas City

  • World-class arts and entertainment are minutes from campus
  • Professional sports teams and events in baseball, football, soccer, hockey and racing
  • KC is known for its BBQ, as well as restaurants featuring farm-to-table menus and international cuisine
Visit KC

Favorite thing about UMKC? “It represents Kansas City culture and characteristics. The people are friendly and willing to help one another, and it’s really easy to integrate into the community.”

Alvin Liow

Singapore

Read Alvin's story
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