Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas
- 50
- Schools
- $46,837
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,778
- Avg. Net Price
- $14,726
- 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: Fort Hays Tech North Central graduates 77% 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 Pratt Community College: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Independence Community College ($34,941 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 MidAmerica Nazarene University ($32,165/yr) produce graduates earning $37,043 and $62,972 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $29,031 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 Fort Hays Tech North Central. 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 $47K 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 Independence Community College #1 overall | $34,941 ▼ -25% vs avg | $3,265 | 30% | 86 |
| 2 Dodge City Community College #2 overall | $45,427 ▼ -3% vs avg | $4,068 | 33% | 85 |
| 3 Coffeyville Community College #3 overall | $35,246 ▼ -25% vs avg | $4,957 | 40% | 83 |
| $37,213 ▼ -21% vs avg | $5,586 | 34% | 82 | |
| $37,818 ▼ -19% vs avg | $5,939 | 26% | 81 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,837 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $14,778.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Haskell Indian Nations University — Net Price: $3,134 | Graduation Rate: 31%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Fort Hays Tech North Central — 77% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Baker University — Median alumni earnings: $63,855
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$46,447
Median earnings (10yr)
46%
Median graduation rate
$12,822
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $46,447 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 46%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $12,822 a year, with about $11,842 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 29% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $12,822 and graduates earn a median of $46,447. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
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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
Independence Community College lands at #1 with a 86/100 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, 25% 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 #2
Dodge City Community College lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $45,427 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,068 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 #3
Coffeyville Community College lands at #3 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $35,246 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,957 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
Fort Scott Community College lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $37,213 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,586 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 #5
Labette Community College lands at #5 with a 81/100 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, 19% 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 #6
Hutchinson Community College lands at #6 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $43,470 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,727 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 #7
Seward County Community College lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,445 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,717 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 #8
Colby Community College lands at #8 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $41,889 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,886 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
Salina Area Technical College lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (19/100). Graduates earn a median $42,175 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,468 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
Garden City Community College lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $41,704 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,244 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 #11
Cowley County Community College lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $37,723 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,175 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 #12
Allen County Community College lands at #12 with a 75/100 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, 14% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Haskell Indian Nations University lands at #13 with a 75/100 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, 21% 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
Wichita, KS · $8,805 net
Why it ranks #14
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology lands at #14 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (31/100). Graduates earn a median $38,679 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,805 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
Pratt Community College lands at #15 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,731 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Barton County Community College lands at #16 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $40,428 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,905 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Neosho County Community College lands at #17 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $45,966 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,271 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 #18
Manhattan Area Technical College lands at #18 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,864 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,074 a year, well under 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 #19
Washburn Institute of Technology lands at #19 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $49,774 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,607 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Fort Hays State University lands at #20 with a 71/100 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, 4% above 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Wichita State University lands at #21 with a 71/100 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, 10% 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 #22
Highland Community College lands at #22 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $41,291 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,454 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
Cloud County Community College lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $39,883 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,685 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
Central Christian College of Kansas lands at #24 with a 70/100 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, 5% 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 #25
Donnelly College lands at #25 with a 69/100 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, 24% 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 #26
Pittsburg State University lands at #26 with a 68/100 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, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,784 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 #27
Fort Hays Tech North Central lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $46,928 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,393 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Johnson County Community College lands at #28 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,176 a year. 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 #29
Emporia State University lands at #29 with a 65/100 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, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,261 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
Goodland, KS · $13,074 net
Why it ranks #30
Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $38,616 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,074 a year, well under 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 #31
University of Kansas lands at #31 with a 63/100 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, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,059 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 #32
Washburn University lands at #32 with a 63/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,280 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 #33
Butler Community College lands at #33 with a 62/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,724 a year. 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 #34
Kansas City Kansas Community College lands at #34 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $40,795 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,744 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 #35
Flint Hills Technical College lands at #35 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $47,007 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,017 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 #36
Kansas State University lands at #36 with a 60/100 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, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,406 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 #37
Newman University lands at #37 with a 58/100 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, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,971 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 #38
Tabor College lands at #38 with a 56/100 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, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,205 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 #39
University of Saint Mary lands at #39 with a 52/100 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, 27% 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 #40
Sterling College lands at #40 with a 52/100 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, 2% 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 #41
Kansas Wesleyan University lands at #41 with a 51/100 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, 9% 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 #42
Baker University lands at #42 with a 48/100 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, 36% 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 #43
McPherson College lands at #43 with a 45/100 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, 11% 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 #44
Hesston College lands at #44 with a 44/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Friends University lands at #45 with a 43/100 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, 11% 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 #46
Benedictine College lands at #46 with a 43/100 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, 14% 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 #47
Bethany College lands at #47 with a 42/100 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, 6% 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 #48
Ottawa University-Ottawa lands at #48 with a 42/100 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, 19% 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 #49
Southwestern College lands at #49 with a 38/100 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, 19% 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 #50
MidAmerica Nazarene University lands at #50 with a 34/100 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, 34% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
In Kansas, affordability is a major consideration for students and families seeking higher education. With net prices varying significantly across institutions, finding a school that balances cost and quality can feel daunting. Here, we highlight colleges with the lowest net prices, helping you make an informed choice as you explore your options.
These schools stand out not just for their low costs but also for the outcomes they deliver. Factors like graduation rates, earnings after graduation, and student debt load are crucial when assessing potential colleges. The list below reflects these important metrics, illustrating how each institution stacks up in terms of affordability and economic mobility.
Take Independence Community College and Dodge City Community College, for example. Independence has a notably low net price of $3,265 but a graduation rate of only 30%, compared to Dodge City, which has a higher net price at $4,068 and a graduation rate of 33%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students may face in their decision-making process, weighing cost against completion rates.
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 29 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Coffeyville Community College leads the group at 3.9%, with McPherson College (3.4%) and Barton County Community College (2.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 10.3% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Coffeyville Community College enrolls the most, at 28.5%, 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 15.8% 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 1.47, 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
The data reveals a significant difference between Independence Community College and Coffeyville Community College. While Independence has the lowest net price at $3,265, it also struggles with a low graduation rate of 30%. In contrast, Coffeyville's net price is slightly higher at $4,957, but it boasts a graduation rate of 40%. This pattern suggests that lower costs do not always equate to better long-term outcomes.
As you navigate this list, consider how each school aligns with your personal goals and circumstances. Think about location, program offerings, and campus culture alongside financial considerations. The right choice will depend on your individual priorities and what you value most in a college experience.
Ultimately, the decision about which college to attend can significantly impact your path to financial stability. With an average earning potential of $46,837, attending a college that balances affordability and completion rates can set students on a successful trajectory. Making an informed choice now can shape a family's future for years to come.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas ranking? +
Independence Community College in Independence, KS ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $34,941 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 30% 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 $46,837 average across the 50 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? +
Fort Hays Tech North Central has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 77%, 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 $14,778 a year across the 50 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 Most Affordable 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 50 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
Related Rankings
