Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in Kansas
- 21
- Schools
- $51,673
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,567
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,900
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $37,043 at the low end to $63,855 at the top. That 1.7× 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 45% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor MidAmerica Nazarene University: graduates owe only 0.24× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Emporia State University ($47,601 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
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 Haskell Indian Nations University and Kansas State University. 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
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 $52K 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 2026-07-13
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 Emporia State University #1 overall | $47,601 ▼ -8% vs avg | $16,261 | 55% | 81 |
| 2 Fort Hays State University #2 overall | $48,928 ▼ -5% vs avg | $12,569 | 48% | 77 |
| 3 Wichita State University #3 overall | $51,532 ▲ +0% vs avg | $13,194 | 51% | 75 |
| $55,041 ▲ +7% vs avg | $19,971 | 53% | 74 | |
| $50,579 ▼ -2% vs avg | $15,784 | 57% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in Kansas
This analysis ranks 21 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,673 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $21,567.
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.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$51,532
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$22,519
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Society needs more teachers than it is producing, yet pay and working conditions make retention a persistent problem. Education programs are the gateway to the profession. The best of them pair pedagogical training with strong clinical practice and placement networks that keep graduates in the profession.
Start with the medians across these 21 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 46%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $22,519 a year with about $22,634 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 35% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.2%.
In education, low debt matters as much as a solid paycheck. Graduates earn a median of $51,532 against a typical net price of $22,519. That ratio makes cost-conscious program selection essential in a profession with modest pay and a public mission.
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
Emporia State University lands at #1 with a 81/100 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, 8% 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 #2
Fort Hays State University lands at #2 with a 77/100 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, 5% 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 #3
Wichita State University lands at #3 with a 75/100 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, 0% 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
Newman University lands at #4 with a 74/100 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, 7% 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 #5
Pittsburg State University lands at #5 with a 73/100 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% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Kansas State University lands at #6 with a 72/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,406 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 #7
Benedictine College lands at #7 with a 69/100 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, 3% 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
Baker University lands at #8 with a 69/100 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, 24% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
MidAmerica Nazarene University lands at #9 with a 68/100 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, 22% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
McPherson College lands at #10 with a 67/100 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, 1% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Friends University lands at #11 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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 #12
Bethany College lands at #12 with a 61/100 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, 4% below 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 #13
Ottawa University-Ottawa lands at #13 with a 60/100 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, 8% 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 #14
Sterling College lands at #14 with a 57/100 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, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,371 a year. 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 #15
University of Saint Mary lands at #15 with a 57/100 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, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,519 a year. 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 #16
Butler Community College lands at #16 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, 20% 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 #17
Bethel College-North Newton lands at #17 with a 56/100 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, 3% below 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 #18
Southwestern College lands at #18 with a 55/100 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, 8% 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 #19
Central Christian College of Kansas lands at #19 with a 50/100 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, 14% 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 #20
Kansas Wesleyan University lands at #20 with a 50/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,671 a year. 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 #21
Haskell Indian Nations University lands at #21 with a 44/100 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, 28% 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 21 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Kansas is home to several colleges with strong education programs, making it a crucial state for aspiring educators. With a range of earnings from $47,601 to $57,262 for graduates, these schools offer different paths for future educators looking to make an impact.
What sets the top schools apart is how they perform on key outcomes like graduation rates and debt load. The best programs not only prepare students for teaching but also ensure they graduate with manageable debt. For example, Kansas State University stands out with a 71% graduation rate, while Fort Hays State University has a lower rate at 48%, illustrating the varying experiences students may encounter.
Consider Emporia State University and Newman University. While Emporia State offers lower average earnings at $47,601 compared to Newman’s $55,041, it also has a significantly lower net price of $16,261 versus Newman’s $19,971. This contrast highlights the tradeoffs students need to consider when evaluating their education investments.
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 12 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.2%. McPherson College leads the group at 3.4%, with Pittsburg State University (1.5%) and Fort Hays State University (1.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. McPherson College leads at 11.6%, 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 18.6% across this list. Baker University posts the highest success rate at 37%. 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 1.64 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Baker University reaches 1.75, 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
When comparing Kansas education colleges, one pattern emerges: the relationship between graduation rates and earnings. Kansas State University not only leads in graduation rates at 71%, but it also offers higher earnings potential at $57,262. In contrast, Fort Hays State University, with a 48% graduation rate, has lower average earnings of $48,928, which may influence a student’s decision on where to enroll.
As you consider these schools, weigh their data against your personal priorities. Think about location, program fit, and financial situation. For example, a higher net price may be worth it if it leads to better job placement and higher earnings. Take time to visit campuses and talk to current students; this can provide insights that numbers alone can’t capture.
Ultimately, the choices we make about education shape our financial and career futures. Choosing the right program can lead to stable employment and a fulfilling career in education. One family may find that the lower net price at Emporia State University aligns with their budget, while another might prioritize earning potential at Newman University. Each decision is personal and significant.
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 Education Colleges in Kansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in Kansas ranking? +
Emporia State University in Emporia, KS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in Kansas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $47,601 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 55% 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 $51,673 average across the 21 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 45% 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 $21,567 a year across the 21 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 Education 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 21 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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