2027 Best Value Education Schools in Kansas
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Highland Community College Highland, our #1 best value for education in Kansas. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #2 place for education. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,004. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,307. Set against $24,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Education graduates carry a median of $23,114 in student loans. Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,114 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #4. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Education graduates carry a median of $22,945 in student loans. Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $46,519 early in their careers. Set against $22,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Butler Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Pittsburg State University placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Education graduates carry a median of $23,958 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,755. That is a strong return on a $23,958 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Emporia State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,676 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,246. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $46,334. That is a strong return on a $24,246 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,075. Early-career education graduates make about $46,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Newman University earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,500. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Newman University generally make around $43,424. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Newman University admits about 74% of applicants.
Tabor College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $54,058 ten years out. Tabor College admits about 65% of applicants.
Sterling College Kansas placed #12 among the best values for education. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. Students from in state pay about $33,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Baker University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,200. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $74,954. That is a strong return on a $29,554 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany College Kansas earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,438. Education graduates of Bethany College Kansas earn a median of $29,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,438 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Friends University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Friends University generally make around $54,439. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Benedictine College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,377. Education graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $42,834 early in their careers. Set against $23,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Ottawa earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Students borrow a median of $29,582 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $42,056. Set against $29,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southwestern College placed #18 among the best values for education. Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwestern College generally make around $44,511. Set against $26,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
Midamerica Nazarene University placed #19 among the best values for education. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. Students from in state pay about $37,174 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $40,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
