Historically, KU students have built an impressive record of scholastic achievement. Two of the nation's most prestigious honorary societies, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, chartered at KU their first chapters west of the Mississippi. A total of 23 KU students have won Rhodes scholarships since that award's inception. KU ranks ninth in the nation among public universities for the number of first-time National Merit scholars enrolled. Another popular college guidebook, The Fiske Guide to Colleges, for more than a decade has awarded KU a four-star rating for academics, social life, and overall quality of university life.
Research is an integral part of the university's educational activity.
I for its commitment to graduate education and research. Only 59 public and 29 private institutions share this ranking. KU is one of only 32 public universities to belong to the American Association of Universities, a select group of higher education institutions in the United States and Canada. Members are chosen on the basis of national significance in graduate studies and research. Library collections on the Lawrence campus contain more than 3.5 million volumes and many microforms, manuscripts, maps, and photographs.