by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Kansas ranks #1 of 31 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’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 50% six-year graduation rate and $61,173 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, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **31** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 31 colleges across over 20 objective factors 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.
University Of Kansas leads the 31 ranked colleges in Kansas, followed by Kansas State University (#2) and Midamerica Nazarene University (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Leading the list is University Of Kansas, our #1 college in Kansas. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,289. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the top colleges in Kansas. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $51,543. Typical student debt is $23,546.
Out of the 31 colleges in Kansas in this year's ranking, Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #3 spot. Midamerica Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Olathe, KS. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,799. The median student debt is $25,740.
You'll be in good company at Baker University, which ranked #4 this year. Baker University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baldwin City, KS. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,916. The median student debt is $29,554.
Out of the 31 colleges in Kansas in this year's ranking, Benedictine College landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atchison, KS. Benedictine College graduates 62% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,350. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete a degree here.
Pittsburg State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Median early-career earnings reach $50,003. Pittsburg State University students take on a median of $22,669 in debt.
Fort Hays State University landed the #7 spot in Kansas this year. This public school is set in Hays, KS. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,775. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete a degree here.
Washburn University landed the #8 spot in Kansas this year. Based in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Washburn University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,955. The median student debt is $21,175.
Wichita State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. Wichita State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Wichita State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,278. Typical student debt is $24,262.
Emporia State University placed #10 among the best colleges in Kansas. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Emporia State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,440. Emporia State University students take on a median of $23,131 in debt.
Tabor College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Hillsboro, KS, Tabor College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,200.
Southwestern College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $39,822. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,036. Typical student debt is $26,874.
Newman University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Newman University graduates 51% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,004 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,562 in student loans.
Ottawa University Online came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit school based in Overland Park, KS. About 43% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,296 in tuition and fees. Ottawa University Online graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,615. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans.
Bethel College North Newton did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in North Newton, KS, Bethel College North Newton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 37% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,014. Bethel College North Newton graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,624. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Mcpherson College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in McPherson, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,146. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,278. The median student debt is $27,000.
University Of Saint Mary ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Leavenworth, KS. University Of Saint Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,380. Median early-career earnings reach $52,152. Typical student debt is $27,810.
Friends University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Wichita, KS, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. Friends University posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,192. Median early-career earnings reach $47,675. The median student debt is $29,721.
Hesston College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Hesston, KS, Hesston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hesston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,936. Hesston College graduates report median early-career earnings of $68,338. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Ottawa University Kansas City ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,296. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,615. Students borrow a median of $30,758 to complete a degree here.
Kansas Wesleyan University placed #21 among the best colleges in Kansas. Located in Salina, KS, Kansas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,094 early in their careers. Kansas Wesleyan University students take on a median of $26,076 in debt.
Sterling College Kansas placed #22 among the best colleges in Kansas. Sterling College Kansas is a private not-for-profit school based in Sterling, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,700. Sterling College Kansas graduates report median early-career earnings of $30,086. Sterling College Kansas students take on a median of $27,250 in debt.
Ottawa University Ottawa landed the #23 spot in Kansas this year. Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit school based in Ottawa, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,880. Median early-career earnings reach $49,850. Students borrow a median of $30,416 to complete a degree here.
Cleveland Chiropractic College landed the #24 spot in Kansas this year. Set in Overland Park, KS, Cleveland Chiropractic College is a private not-for-profit institution. Cleveland Chiropractic College graduates 100% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,505. The median student debt is $16,625.
Bethany College Kansas ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Lindsborg, KS, Bethany College Kansas is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $33,000. Median early-career earnings reach $29,106. Graduates carry a median of $24,438 in student loans.
These 6 colleges rank #26 through #31 of 31 in Kansas. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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.