by our College Data Analytics TeamKansas State University ranks #1 of 41 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Kansas ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 53% six-year graduation rate and $56,082 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Kansas, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **41** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 41 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Kansas State University leads the 41 ranked colleges in Kansas, followed by Pittsburg State University (#2) and Midamerica Nazarene University (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Kansas State University this year in Kansas. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,543. The median student debt is $23,546.
You'll be in good company at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Pittsburg State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,003. The median student debt is $22,669.
A rank of #3 makes Midamerica Nazarene University one of the top colleges in Kansas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Olathe, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,174. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,799 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,740.
You'll be in good company at Flint Hills Technical College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Emporia, KS, Flint Hills Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,944. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $14,690.
Johnson County Community College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Kansas. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,473 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete a degree here.
Washburn University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Topeka, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,175.
Hesston College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Hesston, KS, Hesston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hesston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,936. Median early-career earnings reach $68,338. The median student debt is $19,500.
Salina Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Salina, KS, Salina Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Median early-career earnings reach $38,440. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete a degree here.
Hutchinson Community College landed the #9 spot in Kansas this year. Set in Hutchinson, KS, Hutchinson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,285. Hutchinson Community College students take on a median of $18,148 in debt.
Northwest Kansas Technical College placed #10 among the best colleges in Kansas. This public school is set in Goodland, KS. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,638.
Wichita State University placed #11 among the best colleges in Kansas. Wichita State University is a public school based in Wichita, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,278. Typical student debt is $24,262.
Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #12 spot in Kansas this year. Based in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,844. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,499.
North Central Kansas Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Beloit, KS, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350.
Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Kansas City, KS, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,996, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,216. Typical student debt is $13,129.
Neosho County Community College placed #15 among the best colleges in Kansas. Based in Chanute, KS, Neosho County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Neosho County Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,672. Typical student debt is $13,209.
Fort Hays State University placed #16 among the best colleges in Kansas. Set in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Fort Hays State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,775. Typical student debt is $25,967.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #17 spot in Kansas this year. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a public school based in Liberal, KS. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans.
Garden City Community College placed #18 among the best colleges in Kansas. 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $35,476. Typical student debt is $11,084.
Cloud County Community College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Concordia, KS, Cloud County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,004 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #20 among the best colleges in Kansas. Based in Wichita, KS, Wichita Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Wichita Area Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $35,358. Wichita Area Technical College students take on a median of $11,828 in debt.
Newman University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Newman University graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,500. Newman University graduates report median early-career earnings of $73,004. The median student debt is $24,562.
Pratt Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Pratt, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. Pratt Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $61,703. Pratt Community College students take on a median of $10,327 in debt.
Colby Community College landed the #23 spot in Kansas this year. Colby Community College is a public school based in Colby, KS. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,598. Graduates carry a median of $14,796 in student loans.
Butler Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in El Dorado, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $39,404. Butler Community College students take on a median of $16,670 in debt.
Cowley County Community College landed the #25 spot in Kansas this year. This public school is set in Arkansas City, KS. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Median early-career earnings reach $34,099. Typical student debt is $9,312.
These 16 colleges rank #26 through #41 of 41 in Kansas. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.