by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Kansas? This list ranks 44 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 44 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
We analyzed 44 schools in Kansas to find which ones offer the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Kansas. Located in Hutchinson, KS, Hutchinson Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt is $18,148. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,470. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Salina Area Technical College one of the best values in Kansas. This public school is set in Salina, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,128. Typical student debt is $17,124. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,175. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #3 place in Kansas. Located in Liberal, KS, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. The median program debt is $9,175. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School alumni report median earnings of $41,445 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dodge City Community College earned it the #4 place in Kansas. Dodge City Community College is a public school based in Dodge City, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,427.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in Kansas. Located in Fort Scott, KS, Fort Scott Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. The median program debt is $12,990. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Coffeyville, KS, Coffeyville Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Typical student debt is $12,838. Median earnings reach $35,246 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allen County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Iola, KS. Students from in state pay about $4,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Graduates carry a median of $10,032 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pratt Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Pratt, KS, Pratt Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. Pratt Community College students take on a median of $10,327 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,892 ten years out. Set against $10,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College placed #9 among the best values in Kansas. Set in Colby, KS, Colby Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $14,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,889 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
Cowley County Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Arkansas City, KS, Cowley County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt is $9,312. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,723. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Garden City Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Garden City, KS, Garden City Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete their program here. Garden City Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,704 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Chanute, KS, Neosho County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,966 ten years out. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College placed #13 among the best values in Kansas. Based in Independence, KS, Independence Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. The median program debt is $7,302. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haskell Indian Nations University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Haskell Indian Nations University is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Median earnings reach $37,043 ten years out. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Labette Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Labette Community College is a public school based in Parsons, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,064, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,288 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $37,818 ten years out. Set against $12,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Manhattan Area Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,864. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #17 among the best values in Kansas. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,237. Graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,679 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Cloud County Community College landed the #18 spot for value in Kansas this year. This public school is set in Concordia, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,883 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Highland offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Highland, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Goodland, KS, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public institution. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,616.
Washburn Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,880. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College landed the #22 spot for value in Kansas this year. Located in Great Bend, KS, Barton County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Fort Hays State University is a public school based in Hays, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $25,967. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,928. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University has an acceptance rate of 90%.
Washburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. The median program debt is $21,175. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,774 ten years after entry. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. The median program debt is $24,262. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,532. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University has an acceptance rate of 94%.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 44 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.