Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Kansas
- 27
- Schools
- $49,371
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,533
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,790
- 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 46% 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 Allen County Community College ($40,059 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
Healthcare 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 $50K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. 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 Allen County Community College #1 overall | $40,059 ▼ -19% vs avg | $8,642 | 38% | 80 |
| 2 Newman University #2 overall | $55,041 ▲ +11% vs avg | $19,971 | 53% | 80 |
| 3 Independence Community College #3 overall | $34,941 ▼ -29% vs avg | $3,265 | 30% | 80 |
| $62,972 ▲ +28% vs avg | $32,165 | 49% | 78 | |
| $45,387 ▼ -8% vs avg | $14,176 | 30% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Kansas
This analysis ranks 27 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,371 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $18,533.
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
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$49,898
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$18,059
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Start with the medians across these 27 schools. Graduates earn a median of $49,898 ten years after enrollment, or about $1,898 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 $18,059 a year with about $20,901 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 33% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.1%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Allen County Community College tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $49,898 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
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
Allen County Community College lands at #1 with a 80/100 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 #2
Newman University lands at #2 with a 80/100 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 #3
Independence Community College lands at #3 with a 80/100 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, 29% 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 #4
MidAmerica Nazarene University lands at #4 with a 78/100 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, 28% 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 #5
Johnson County Community College lands at #5 with a 75/100 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, 8% 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 #6
Fort Hays State University lands at #6 with a 75/100 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, 1% 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 #7
Hesston College lands at #7 with a 75/100 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, 4% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Labette Community College lands at #8 with a 75/100 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, 23% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Emporia State University lands at #9 with a 73/100 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 #10
Baker University lands at #10 with a 73/100 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, 29% 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 #11
University of Kansas lands at #11 with a 73/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Wichita State University lands at #12 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, 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Pittsburg State University lands at #13 with a 71/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Kansas State University lands at #14 with a 70/100 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, 16% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
McPherson College lands at #15 with a 69/100 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
Donnelly College lands at #16 with a 67/100 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 #17
Washburn University lands at #17 with a 66/100 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, 1% 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 #18
Benedictine College lands at #18 with a 66/100 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, 8% 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 #19
Friends University lands at #19 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, 6% 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 #20
Butler Community College lands at #20 with a 64/100 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 #21
University of Saint Mary lands at #21 with a 62/100 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 #22
Sterling College lands at #22 with a 55/100 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, 7% 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 #23
Southwestern College lands at #23 with a 54/100 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, 13% 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 #24
Bethel College-North Newton lands at #24 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, 1% 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 #25
Kansas Wesleyan University lands at #25 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, 4% 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 #26
Central Christian College of Kansas lands at #26 with a 49/100 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, 10% 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 #27
Haskell Indian Nations University lands at #27 with a 43/100 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, 25% 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 27 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 Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing a nursing college in Kansas can be a significant step toward a stable and rewarding career in healthcare. With 29 programs available, prospective students are weighing their options based on factors like earnings potential, graduation rates, and overall student debt. The average earnings for graduates in this field stand at $48,576, which underscores the importance of selecting a program that aligns with one’s goals.
What distinguishes the top nursing programs in this list are their outcomes. Key metrics such as earnings, graduation rates, and student debt reveal which schools equip their students for success. For instance, while the average graduation rate across these nursing colleges is 45%, some institutions achieve much higher rates. As you explore the list below, consider how these numbers reflect each program's effectiveness in preparing students for the nursing workforce.
Take Barton County Community College and Newman University as examples. Barton County graduates earn an average of $40,428 with a graduation rate of 38%, while Newman graduates see significantly higher earnings at $55,041 and a graduation rate of 53%. This contrast highlights the tradeoff between cost and potential return on investment, guiding your decision-making process as you consider your options.
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 18 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.1%. 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 Labette Community College (1.5%) and Pittsburg State University (1.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.2% 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 17.9% across the list, peaking at 37% at Baker University.
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
When comparing nursing programs, the differences can be stark. For instance, Newman University’s graduates earn an average of $55,041, while Independence Community College's graduates earn $34,941. This performance gap highlights the importance of choosing a program that not only fits your financial situation but also offers strong post-graduation outcomes.
After reviewing these schools, consider how their offerings align with your personal priorities. Factors such as location, campus culture, and specific nursing specializations should play a role in your decision. If you prioritize lower debt, schools like Coffeyville Community College or Independence Community College might be appealing, even if their earnings potential is lower.
Ultimately, the data here reflect a critical path: the choice of a nursing program can shape not just career prospects but also financial stability. With rising healthcare demands, a well-chosen program can lead to a fulfilling career. Each decision carries weight, and understanding these metrics can make the journey smoother for you and your family.
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 Nursing Colleges in Kansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Kansas ranking? +
Allen County Community College in Iola, KS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Kansas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $40,059 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 38% 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 $49,371 average across the 27 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 46% 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 $18,533 a year across the 27 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 Nursing 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 27 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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