2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Kansas
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Kansas. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,151. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Haskell Indian Nations University one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $600 in tuition and fees. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Coffeyville Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $28,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Independence Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #5. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $27,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Cowley County Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $26,110. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $23,240. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Neosho County Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $27,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pratt Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $4,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $61,703 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $25,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allen County Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,260, compared with $4,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,596 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Allen County Community College earn a median of $25,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,596 median debt.
Fort Hays State University earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,592. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,649. That is a strong return on a $25,592 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cloud County Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,686. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $29,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,700 median debt.
Donnelly College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,810. Students borrow a median of $27,626 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,694 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Central Christian College Of Kansas ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Washburn University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $36,597. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Butler Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $29,761 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
