# Best Business Colleges in Kansas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 27 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-kansas

## Methodology

Business programs in Kansas ranked by outcomes and program concentration

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

When considering a business education in Kansas, families face numerous options with varying outcomes. Each institution on this list specializes in preparing students for successful careers in business, a field that plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. With average earnings of $50,168 for graduates, these schools aim to provide the skills and networks necessary for a solid financial future.

The best business colleges in Kansas stand out based on key metrics: graduates’ earnings, completion rates, and student debt levels. For instance, schools like the University of Kansas show strong earning potential at $61,945, while others may have lower graduation rates. This list highlights the importance of not just choosing a school, but understanding how its outcomes align with personal goals.

Take Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University as examples. While Fort Hays has a lower graduation rate of 48% and earnings of $48,928, Kansas State boasts a 71% graduation rate and higher earnings at $57,262. This contrast emphasizes the need to weigh these factors carefully when making a decision about which program to pursue.

## Key Findings

- The average earnings for business graduates in Kansas is $50,168.
- Kansas State University has the highest graduation rate at 71%.
- Fort Hays State University graduates earn an average of $48,928, the lowest among the top five.
- Emporia State University offers a competitive net price of $16,261.

## 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 | [Kansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-state-university) | Manhattan, KS | 71% | $57,262 | $19,406 | $21,250 | 0.37x |
| 3 | [University of Kansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-kansas) | Lawrence, KS | 69% | $61,945 | $18,059 | $21,000 | 0.34x |
| 4 | [Baker University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-university) | Baldwin City, KS | 59% | $63,855 | $25,301 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 5 | [Newman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newman-university) | Wichita, KS | 53% | $55,041 | $19,971 | $20,801 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Emporia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emporia-state-university) | Emporia, KS | 55% | $47,601 | $16,261 | $19,500 | 0.41x |
| 7 | [Wichita State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wichita-state-university) | Wichita, KS | 51% | $51,532 | $13,194 | $20,500 | 0.4x |
| 8 | [Pittsburg State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pittsburg-state-university) | Pittsburg, KS | 57% | $50,579 | $15,784 | $18,969 | 0.38x |
| 9 | [Friends University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/friends-university) | Wichita, KS | 52% | $52,113 | $27,715 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 10 | [Benedictine College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedictine-college) | Atchison, KS | 63% | $53,175 | $27,891 | $24,599 | 0.46x |
| 11 | [McPherson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcpherson-college) | McPherson, KS | 44% | $52,084 | $26,441 | $25,242 | 0.48x |
| 12 | [MidAmerica Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midamerica-nazarene-university) | Olathe, KS | 49% | $62,972 | $32,165 | $15,000 | 0.24x |
| 13 | [Tabor College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tabor-college) | Hillsboro, KS | 33% | $54,058 | $20,205 | $23,887 | 0.44x |
| 14 | [Independence Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/independence-community-college) | Independence, KS | 30% | $34,941 | $3,265 | $6,115 | 0.18x |
| 15 | [Johnson County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-county-community-college) | Overland Park, KS | 30% | $45,387 | $14,176 | $8,750 | 0.19x |
| 16 | [Southwestern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-college-ks) | Winfield, KS | 35% | $55,646 | $29,824 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 17 | [Ottawa University-Ottawa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ottawa-university-ottawa) | Ottawa, KS | 28% | $55,552 | $27,963 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 18 | [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 |
| 19 | [University of Saint Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-saint-mary) | Leavenworth, KS | 46% | $59,483 | $22,519 | $22,018 | 0.37x |
| 20 | [Sterling College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sterling-college) | Sterling, KS | 34% | $45,846 | $22,371 | $24,625 | 0.54x |
| 21 | [Bethany College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethany-college) | Lindsborg, KS | 32% | $49,694 | $27,686 | $23,250 | 0.47x |
| 22 | [Washburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washburn-university) | Topeka, KS | 53% | $49,774 | $15,280 | $18,127 | 0.36x |
| 23 | [Kansas Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-wesleyan-university) | Salina, KS | 43% | $51,152 | $22,671 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 24 | [Butler Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/butler-community-college) | El Dorado, KS | 31% | $41,206 | $15,724 | $10,500 | 0.25x |
| 25 | [Donnelly College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/donnelly-college) | Kansas City, KS | 42% | $35,715 | $11,476 | $11,842 | 0.33x |
| 26 | [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 |
| 27 | [Haskell Indian Nations University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/haskell-indian-nations-university) | Lawrence, KS | 31% | $37,043 | $3,134 | N/A | N/A |

## 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 Business Colleges in Kansas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-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/.
