# Best Bachelor's Programs in Kansas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 21 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-kansas

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Kansas ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

If you're considering a bachelor's degree in Kansas, you're not alone. Many students are evaluating their options, looking for programs that will lead to strong job prospects and manageable debt. The right choice can significantly impact your future earnings and overall career mobility, with average earnings from these programs in Kansas sitting at $53,432.

What sets the top programs apart in this list is a blend of graduation rates, post-graduate earnings, and manageable debt levels. Schools that excel tend to provide strong support for students, leading to better completion rates and preparing graduates for successful careers. By examining the net prices and student debt levels alongside these outcomes, families can make a more informed decision about which school best fits their needs.

For example, the University of Kansas leads the pack with average earnings of $61,945 and a graduation rate of 69%. In contrast, Fort Hays State University, while offering a much lower net price of $12,569, has a significantly lower graduation rate of 48% and earnings of $48,928. This illustrates the tradeoff between cost and the potential return on investment, prompting students to think carefully about what they value most in their education.

## Key Findings

- University of Kansas graduates earn an average of $61,945, the highest in this ranking.
- Kansas State University boasts a graduation rate of 71%, the highest among the top five schools.
- Fort Hays State University has a net price of $12,569, the lowest in this group.
- The average graduation rate across all 21 schools listed is only 47%, indicating a need for stronger support systems.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Fort Hays State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-hays-state-university) | Hays, KS | 48% | $48,928 | $12,569 | $21,000 | 0.43x |
| 2 | [University of Kansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-kansas) | Lawrence, KS | 69% | $61,945 | $18,059 | $21,000 | 0.34x |
| 3 | [Wichita State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wichita-state-university) | Wichita, KS | 51% | $51,532 | $13,194 | $20,500 | 0.4x |
| 4 | [Newman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newman-university) | Wichita, KS | 53% | $55,041 | $19,971 | $20,801 | 0.38x |
| 5 | [Emporia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emporia-state-university) | Emporia, KS | 55% | $47,601 | $16,261 | $19,500 | 0.41x |
| 6 | [Kansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-state-university) | Manhattan, KS | 71% | $57,262 | $19,406 | $21,250 | 0.37x |
| 7 | [Benedictine College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedictine-college) | Atchison, KS | 63% | $53,175 | $27,891 | $24,599 | 0.46x |
| 8 | [Baker University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-university) | Baldwin City, KS | 59% | $63,855 | $25,301 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 9 | [McPherson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcpherson-college) | McPherson, KS | 44% | $52,084 | $26,441 | $25,242 | 0.48x |
| 10 | [MidAmerica Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midamerica-nazarene-university) | Olathe, KS | 49% | $62,972 | $32,165 | $15,000 | 0.24x |
| 11 | [Friends University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/friends-university) | Wichita, KS | 52% | $52,113 | $27,715 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 12 | [Tabor College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tabor-college) | Hillsboro, KS | 33% | $54,058 | $20,205 | $23,887 | 0.44x |
| 13 | [Washburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washburn-university) | Topeka, KS | 53% | $49,774 | $15,280 | $18,127 | 0.36x |
| 14 | [University of Saint Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-saint-mary) | Leavenworth, KS | 46% | $59,483 | $22,519 | $22,018 | 0.37x |
| 15 | [Ottawa University-Ottawa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ottawa-university-ottawa) | Ottawa, KS | 28% | $55,552 | $27,963 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 16 | [Southwestern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-college-ks) | Winfield, KS | 35% | $55,646 | $29,824 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 17 | [Bethel College-North Newton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethel-college-north-newton) | North Newton, KS | 42% | $49,898 | $32,917 | $24,000 | 0.48x |
| 18 | [Sterling College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sterling-college) | Sterling, KS | 34% | $45,846 | $22,371 | $24,625 | 0.54x |
| 19 | [Kansas Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-wesleyan-university) | Salina, KS | 43% | $51,152 | $22,671 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 20 | [Bethany College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethany-college) | Lindsborg, KS | 32% | $49,694 | $27,686 | $23,250 | 0.47x |
| 21 | [Central Christian College of Kansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-christian-college-of-kansas) | McPherson, KS | 25% | $44,468 | $11,404 | $27,000 | 0.61x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Kansas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-kansas

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.