Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Kansas
- 30
- Schools
- $49,744
- Avg. Earnings
- 44%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,208
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,213
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $34,941 at the low end to $63,855 at the top. That 1.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Haskell Indian Nations University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $37,043 against $3,134 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Haskell Indian Nations University, at $3,134 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Kansas State University graduates 71% of its students, well above the 44% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Allen County Community College: graduates owe only 0.17× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Fort Hays State University ($48,928 earnings), not the highest earner, Baker University ($63,855). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Haskell Indian Nations University ($3,134/yr) and Bethel College-North Newton ($32,917/yr) produce graduates earning $37,043 and $49,898 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $29,783 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Haskell Indian Nations University outperforms Baker University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Haskell Indian Nations University and Kansas State University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $51K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fort Hays State University #1 overall | $48,928 ▼ -2% vs avg | $12,569 | 48% | 70 |
| 2 Pittsburg State University #2 overall | $50,579 ▲ +2% vs avg | $15,784 | 57% | 70 |
| 3 University of Kansas #3 overall | $61,945 ▲ +25% vs avg | $18,059 | 69% | 70 |
| $51,532 ▲ +4% vs avg | $13,194 | 51% | 69 | |
| $55,041 ▲ +11% vs avg | $19,971 | 53% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Kansas
This analysis ranks 30 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,744 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 44% and an average net price of $19,208.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Haskell Indian Nations University — Net Price: $3,134 | Graduation Rate: 31%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Kansas State University — 71% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Baker University — Median alumni earnings: $63,855
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Kansas Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Kansas?
$50,239
Median earnings (10yr)
43%
Median graduation rate
$19,689
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Kansas serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 30 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $50,239 ten years after they first enrolled, about $2,239 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 43%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,689 a year, with about $21,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 34% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.2%.
For Kansas, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $19,689 and graduates earning a median of $50,239, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Fort Hays State University lands at #1 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $48,928 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,569 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Pittsburg State University lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,579 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Kansas lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,945 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,059 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Wichita State University lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $51,532 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,194 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Newman University lands at #5 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $55,041 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,971 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Kansas State University lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,262 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,406 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Emporia State University lands at #7 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,601 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,261 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Allen County Community College lands at #8 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,059 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,642 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Independence Community College lands at #9 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,941 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,265 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Johnson County Community College lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,387 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,176 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Benedictine College lands at #11 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,175 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,891 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Baker University lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $63,855 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,301 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
MidAmerica Nazarene University lands at #13 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $62,972 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,165 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Labette Community College lands at #14 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $37,818 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,939 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
McPherson College lands at #15 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,084 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Hesston College lands at #16 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $47,495 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,299 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Friends University lands at #17 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $52,113 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,715 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Tabor College lands at #18 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,058 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,205 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Ottawa University-Ottawa lands at #19 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $55,552 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,963 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
University of Saint Mary lands at #20 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $59,483 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,519 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Washburn University lands at #21 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $49,774 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,280 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Butler Community College lands at #22 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,206 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,724 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Donnelly College lands at #23 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $35,715 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,476 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southwestern College lands at #24 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $55,646 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,824 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Bethel College-North Newton lands at #25 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (30/100). Graduates earn a median $49,898 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,917 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Sterling College lands at #26 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,846 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,371 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Bethany College lands at #27 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,694 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,686 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Kansas Wesleyan University lands at #28 with a 48/100 composite, led by academic quality (65/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $51,152 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,671 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Central Christian College of Kansas lands at #29 with a 47/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (56/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $44,468 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,404 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Haskell Indian Nations University lands at #30 with a 42/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $37,043 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 30 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering college options in Kansas, students and families often find themselves sifting through a variety of institutions. With 32 colleges in the state, understanding the differences in earnings, graduation rates, and costs can significantly impact their choices. The University of Kansas, for example, boasts an average earning of $61,945, providing a benchmark for what graduates can expect.
The schools on this list stand out based on key outcomes that matter most to prospective students: earnings, graduation rates, net price, and debt levels. For instance, while the University of Kansas has a graduation rate of 69%, Newman University trails at 53%. This comparison highlights the importance of not just the financial return on investment, but also the likelihood of completing a degree—a crucial factor for future success.
Consider the contrast between Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University. Kansas State offers a higher graduation rate at 71% and average earnings of $57,262, while Fort Hays State's statistics show a graduation rate of just 48% and lower earnings at $48,928. These differences create a meaningful conversation about what students can gain from their college experience and how they can weigh their options as they scroll through the data below.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 19 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. McPherson College leads the group at 3.4%, with Tabor College (2.2%) and Labette Community College (1.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Independence Community College enrolls the most, at 20.3%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 19% across the list, peaking at 38.8% at Tabor College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Baker University is highest at 1.75.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Looking closely at the data, a notable pattern emerges between Kansas State University and Newman University. While Kansas State has average earnings of $57,262 and a graduation rate of 71%, Newman University’s earnings are lower at $55,041 with a graduation rate of just 53%. This discrepancy suggests that choosing a school with higher completion rates can lead to better financial outcomes after graduation.
For students considering their next steps after reviewing these rankings, it's essential to weigh this data against personal priorities. Factors like location, specific programs of interest, campus culture, and financial circumstances play a vital role in the decision-making process. A school that offers a higher graduation rate may be worth the additional investment if it aligns with students' career goals and lifestyle preferences.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable life hinges on informed choices. A family must consider what kind of degree will lead to meaningful employment and financial stability. As we see in the data, institutions like the University of Kansas can provide higher earnings, but it’s about finding the right fit for each student’s path forward.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Kansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Kansas ranking? +
Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Kansas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,928 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 48% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Baker University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,855 ten years after enrollment, well above the $49,744 average across the 30 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Haskell Indian Nations University leads: graduates earn a median $37,043 against net price of about $3,134 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Kansas State University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 71%, compared with a 44% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,208 a year across the 30 ranked schools with cost data. Haskell Indian Nations University is among the most affordable at roughly $3,134. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Kansas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 30 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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