# Best Colleges in Kansas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 32 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-kansas

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Kansas

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 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.

## Key Findings

- University of Kansas graduates earn an average of $61,945.
- Kansas State University has a graduation rate of 71%, the highest on this list.
- Fort Hays State University has the lowest graduation rate at 48%.
- Newman University's net price is $19,971, compared to Wichita State's $13,194.

## 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 | [Pittsburg State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pittsburg-state-university) | Pittsburg, KS | 57% | $50,579 | $15,784 | $18,969 | 0.38x |
| 3 | [University of Kansas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-kansas) | Lawrence, KS | 69% | $61,945 | $18,059 | $21,000 | 0.34x |
| 4 | [Wichita State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wichita-state-university) | Wichita, KS | 51% | $51,532 | $13,194 | $20,500 | 0.4x |
| 5 | [Newman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newman-university) | Wichita, KS | 53% | $55,041 | $19,971 | $20,801 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Kansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-state-university) | Manhattan, KS | 71% | $57,262 | $19,406 | $21,250 | 0.37x |
| 7 | [Emporia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emporia-state-university) | Emporia, KS | 55% | $47,601 | $16,261 | $19,500 | 0.41x |
| 8 | [Barton County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barton-county-community-college) | Great Bend, KS | 38% | $40,428 | $9,905 | $9,501 | 0.24x |
| 9 | [Allen County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/allen-county-community-college) | Iola, KS | 38% | $40,059 | $8,642 | $6,954 | 0.17x |
| 10 | [Coffeyville Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coffeyville-community-college) | Coffeyville, KS | 40% | $35,246 | $4,957 | $8,103 | 0.23x |
| 11 | [Independence Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/independence-community-college) | Independence, KS | 30% | $34,941 | $3,265 | $6,115 | 0.18x |
| 12 | [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 |
| 13 | [Benedictine College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedictine-college) | Atchison, KS | 63% | $53,175 | $27,891 | $24,599 | 0.46x |
| 14 | [Baker University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-university) | Baldwin City, KS | 59% | $63,855 | $25,301 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 15 | [MidAmerica Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midamerica-nazarene-university) | Olathe, KS | 49% | $62,972 | $32,165 | $15,000 | 0.24x |
| 16 | [Labette Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/labette-community-college) | Parsons, KS | 26% | $37,818 | $5,939 | $10,500 | 0.28x |
| 17 | [McPherson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcpherson-college) | McPherson, KS | 44% | $52,084 | $26,441 | $25,242 | 0.48x |
| 18 | [Hesston College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hesston-college) | Hesston, KS | 59% | $47,495 | $26,299 | $12,000 | 0.25x |
| 19 | [Friends University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/friends-university) | Wichita, KS | 52% | $52,113 | $27,715 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 20 | [Tabor College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tabor-college) | Hillsboro, KS | 33% | $54,058 | $20,205 | $23,887 | 0.44x |
| 21 | [Ottawa University-Ottawa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ottawa-university-ottawa) | Ottawa, KS | 28% | $55,552 | $27,963 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 22 | [University of Saint Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-saint-mary) | Leavenworth, KS | 46% | $59,483 | $22,519 | $22,018 | 0.37x |
| 23 | [Washburn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washburn-university) | Topeka, KS | 53% | $49,774 | $15,280 | $18,127 | 0.36x |
| 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 | [Southwestern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-college-ks) | Winfield, KS | 35% | $55,646 | $29,824 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [Sterling College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sterling-college) | Sterling, KS | 34% | $45,846 | $22,371 | $24,625 | 0.54x |
| 29 | [Bethany College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethany-college) | Lindsborg, KS | 32% | $49,694 | $27,686 | $23,250 | 0.47x |
| 30 | [Kansas Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kansas-wesleyan-university) | Salina, KS | 43% | $51,152 | $22,671 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 31 | [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 |
| 32 | [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 Colleges in Kansas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-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/.