KU Debate
The University of Kansas has one of the most successful college policy debate programs in the country. KU competed in its first intercollegiate policy debate in 1885, a win over the University of Nebraska, and that legacy of success has continued ever since. Today the KU debate team represents the University of Kansas in debate competitions across the country and is historically the most successful public university policy debate program in the United States and is one of the "blue blood" programs of college debate.
KU Debaters Best in Nation
KU is 2025 National Runner Up at National Debate Tournament
KU is 2024 National Runner Up at National Debate Tournament
A Tradition of Excellence
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KU Debate has won six National Debate Tournament National Championships: 2018, 2009, 1983, 1976, 1970, 1954. KU has also finished as the National Runner Up in 2025, 2024, and 2016. The only schools to have won more NDT national championships are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Dartmouth College.
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KU Debate has qualified for the Final Four of the National Debate Tournament 22 times: KU has had a team reach the Final Four at least once in every decade since the NDT began in 1947, a span that includes nine different decades. KU has reached the Final Four in 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2009, 1999, 1994, 1983, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1970, 1960, 1959, 1954, 1948.
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KU has qualified teams to compete at the National Debate Tournament 58 consecutive years, a streak dating back to 1968.
Lawrence Daily World December 14,1910
"Since the stone walls of old North College first dimmed the horizon on the crest of Mt. Oread, debating has held a place among the various activities of school life at the University of Kansas"
Aerial view of Bailey Hall and Jayhawk Boulevard