Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas
- 11
- Schools
- $50,643
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,779
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,620
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $40,059 at the low end to $61,945 at the top. That 1.5× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Allen County Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $40,059 against $8,642 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 Allen County Community College, at $8,642 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Kansas graduates 69% of its students, well above the 47% 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, University of Kansas ($61,945). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Allen County Community College ($8,642/yr) and Southwestern College ($29,824/yr) produce graduates earning $40,059 and $55,646 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $21,182 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Allen County Community College outperforms University of Kansas: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Allen County Community College and University of Kansas. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $52K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
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 ▼ -3% vs avg | $12,569 | 48% | 73 |
| 2 University of Kansas #2 overall | $61,945 ▲ +22% vs avg | $18,059 | 69% | 72 |
| 3 Wichita State University #3 overall | $51,532 ▲ +2% vs avg | $13,194 | 51% | 72 |
| $47,601 ▼ -6% vs avg | $16,261 | 55% | 70 | |
| $40,059 ▼ -21% vs avg | $8,642 | 38% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,643 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $18,779.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Allen County Community College — Net Price: $8,642 | Graduation Rate: 38%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Kansas — 69% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Kansas — Median alumni earnings: $61,945
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$51,532
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$16,261
Median net price
1.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Start with the medians across these 11 schools. Graduates earn a median of $51,532 ten years after enrollment, or about $3,532 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 48%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $16,261 a year with about $21,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 27% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.0%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $51,532 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
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 73/100 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, 3% 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
University of Kansas lands at #2 with a 72/100 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, 22% 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 #3
Wichita State University lands at #3 with a 72/100 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, 2% 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 #4
Emporia State University lands at #4 with a 70/100 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, 6% 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 #5
Allen County Community College lands at #5 with a 69/100 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, 21% 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 #6
Johnson County Community College lands at #6 with a 69/100 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, 10% 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 #7
Benedictine College lands at #7 with a 67/100 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, 5% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Friends University lands at #8 with a 65/100 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, 3% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Southwestern College lands at #9 with a 61/100 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, 10% 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 #10
University of Saint Mary lands at #10 with a 59/100 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, 17% 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 #11
Butler Community College lands at #11 with a 56/100 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, 19% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →When considering a computer science education in Kansas, students have a solid range of options to explore. These schools share a commitment to equipping graduates with the skills needed for today’s tech-driven job market. For instance, graduates from the University of Kansas can expect an average earning of $61,945, making it a notable choice for aspiring tech professionals.
What separates the top performers in this list from the others? Key outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and the overall program concentration provide insight into the value of each program. The higher the earnings and graduation rates, and the lower the debt, the better the program’s performance tends to be. This list reflects those critical metrics, giving prospective students a detailed view of their options.
Take the University of Kansas and Fort Hays State University, for example. While the University of Kansas boasts a graduation rate of 69% and average earnings of $61,945, Fort Hays State University has a graduation rate of only 48% and lower earnings of $48,928. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students might face when choosing between different programs in Kansas.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 8 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1%. Fort Hays State University leads the group at 1.4%, with Wichita State University (1.2%) and Allen County Community College (1.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Allen County Community College leads at 10.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 17% across this list. University of Kansas posts the highest success rate at 29.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.61 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Kansas reaches 1.74, the highest on the list.
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
The data shows a clear disparity between the University of Kansas and Johnson County Community College. While the University of Kansas has an average earning of $61,945 and a graduation rate of 69%, Johnson County Community College lags with earnings of $45,387 and a much lower graduation rate of 30%. This underscores the importance of choosing a program that not only aligns with career goals but also supports student success through higher completion rates.
As you weigh the options, consider how these factors align with your priorities. Think about location, the specific focus of the computer science program, and your financial situation. For example, if minimizing debt is a priority, Johnson County Community College offers a lower net price but comes with trade-offs in terms of earning potential and graduation rates. Be clear about what matters most to you in this decision.
Ultimately, this data reveals the significant impact a college choice can have on long-term stability. With average earnings varying by over $16,000 among the top schools, one family's decision on where to enroll can set the stage for future career opportunities and financial security. Focus on finding a fit that supports both your aspirations and practical realities.
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 Computer Science Colleges in Kansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas ranking? +
Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science 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? +
University of Kansas posts the highest median earnings on this list: $61,945 ten years after enrollment, well above the $50,643 average across the 11 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, Allen County Community College leads: graduates earn a median $40,059 against net price of about $8,642 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? +
University of Kansas has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 69%, compared with a 47% 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 $18,779 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. Allen County Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $8,642. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science 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 11 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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