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Salina Area Technical College

#9 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas
Public Salina, KS · Town · Plains · 87% data
A Value A- Affordability B- Graduation
Graduation Rate
70% B-
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Earnings (10yr)
$42,175 C
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$6,468 A-
62% less than the typical college
Enrollment
330
Earnings +3% vs avg
Graduation +22% vs avg
Net Price +-62% vs avg

Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 35.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $35.5 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas.

35.5× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $35.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $892,197.

What The Data Says

  1. A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Every $1 invested returns $35.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

Why Salina Area Technical College Matters

Salina Area Technical College is a public college in Salina, KS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by low net price paired with solid completion. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
330
Setting
Town
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Transportation

Why students choose Salina Area Technical College

Outstanding value
Low net price against strong graduate earnings
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B-
Top 31% overall
C
Earnings
$42,175 median
A
Value
6.5× net price
A-
Affordability
$6,468/yr net
B-
Graduation
70% graduate
D
Diversity
0.41 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of just 330 students, Salina Area Technical College offers a tight-knit community where individuals can thrive in practical, skill-based education. The college is particularly strong in programs like Health Professions, Precision Production, and Mechanic & Repair Technology. If you’re someone who enjoys hands-on learning and wants to enter the workforce ready to tackle real-world challenges, this school might be a great fit for you.

When we look at what happens after graduation, the numbers are encouraging. Graduates can expect to earn around $42,175 within ten years of completing their programs. That’s a solid figure that reflects the value of the education received here. Plus, the affordability is noteworthy, with an average net price of just $6,468, making it accessible for many students. While 15% of students receive Pell Grants, there’s a clear pathway for those who are willing to put in the effort to succeed.

In terms of financial realities, the median debt for graduates is only $7,000, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. This means that many students can graduate with little to no debt, allowing for a smoother transition into their careers. Those who tend to thrive at Salina Area Technical College are often those drawn to technical fields and who appreciate a more focused, practical approach to learning. If that sounds like you, this could be a smart choice for your education.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Salina Area Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Salina Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Salina, Kansas, Salina Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.

Retention Rate
73%
Full-Time Faculty
61%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$6,415
Student–Faculty Ratio
14:1
Diversity Index
0.41
First-Gen Students
49%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salina Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Salina Area Technical College is $7,128, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,468. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,078 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$7,128
Out-of-State
$7,128
Avg Net Price
$6,468
Median Debt
$7,000
Pell Grant Rate
15%
Federal Loan Rate
12%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$6,078
Family Income $30K–$48K
$5,602
Family Income $48K–$75K
$5,958
Family Income $110K+
$12,188

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Salina Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Salina Area Technical College report median earnings of $42,175, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$39,065
8 Years
$39,994
10 Years
$42,175
Debt-to-Earnings
0.17x
Earning > $25K
67%

Earnings Trajectory

$39,065 6yr $39,994 8yr $42,175 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (45)
58%
100% (45)
58%
100% (45)
58%
100% (45)
58%

How Salina Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation70%Earnings 10yr$42KNet Price$6KRetention73%Median Debt$7KPell Grant Rate15%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$6K$0-30K$6K$30-48K$6K$48-75K$12K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Salina Area Technical College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Salina Area Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,468/year ($25,872 total). Graduates earn $42,175 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $918,069 in total earnings — a net gain of $892,197 (35.5× your investment). The median debt is $7,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$25,872
Projected 20yr Earnings
$918,069
Net Return
$892,197
ROI Multiple
35.5×
Cost Per Year
$6,468
Median Debt
$7,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
70%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$498,560
Total Expenses
$7,024,425
Investment Income
$5,863

Top Programs

The fields Salina Area Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Salina Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Salina, Kansas, Salina Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salina Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Salina Area Technical College is $7,128, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,468. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,078 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,000 in federal student loans.

Is Salina Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Salina Area Technical College report median earnings of $42,175, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Salina Area Technical College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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