2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kansas

[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Kansas. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,151. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Coffeyville Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Independence Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,620. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Fort Scott Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $27,303 early in their careers. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Dodge City Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Cowley County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $22,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,400. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $26,110 early in their careers. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,240. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,437. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pratt Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $61,703. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Barton County Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities schools. Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Iola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,596. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,323. That is a strong return on a $8,596 median debt.
Fort Hays State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,649. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Cloud County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Highland came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,495. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,855. That is a strong return on a $9,700 median debt.
Donnelly College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,810. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,626. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $49,147. Set against $27,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,694 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $30,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Christian College Of Kansas landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $49,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Washburn University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,468. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pittsburg State University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,761. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.