by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Kansas, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **23** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 23 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.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Kansas to be the best college in Kansas. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. University Of Kansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,289. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 23 colleges in Kansas in this year's ranking, Kansas State University landed the #2 spot. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $51,543. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans.
Out of the 23 colleges in Kansas in this year's ranking, Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #3 spot. Located in Olathe, KS, Midamerica Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Midamerica Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,799. Graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans.
Baker University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Kansas. Set in Baldwin City, KS, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,200. Median early-career earnings reach $62,916. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $22,669.
Benedictine College landed the #6 spot in Kansas this year. Based in Atchison, KS, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Median early-career earnings reach $46,255. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete a degree here.
Fort Hays State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Hays, KS. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Fort Hays State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,775. Graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans.
Wichita State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Wichita, KS. Wichita State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,278. Graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans.
Emporia State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. Emporia State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. 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.
Washburn University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. Washburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Washburn University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,955. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete a degree here.
Tabor College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Hillsboro, KS, Tabor College is a private not-for-profit institution. Tabor College posts a six-year graduation rate of 34%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,200.
Southwestern College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern College graduates 36% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Southwestern College graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,036. The median student debt is $26,874.
Newman University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,562.
Ottawa University Online did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. Ottawa University Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,615 early in their careers. Ottawa University Online students take on a median of $30,758 in debt.
Mcpherson College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in McPherson, KS, Mcpherson College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,146 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,278 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,000.
Bethel College North Newton landed the #16 spot in Kansas this year. Based in North Newton, KS, Bethel College North Newton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 37% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $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.
University Of Saint Mary came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Leavenworth, KS, University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Saint Mary graduates 48% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,380. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,152 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,810.
Hesston College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Hesston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hesston, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,936. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $68,338. Hesston College students take on a median of $19,500 in debt.
Friends University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Wichita, KS, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,192. Friends University graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,675. Typical student debt is $29,721.
Ottawa University Kansas City did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,296 in tuition and fees. Ottawa University Kansas City graduates report median early-career earnings 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. Kansas Wesleyan University graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,630. Median early-career earnings reach $42,094. Students borrow a median of $26,076 to complete a degree here.
Sterling College Kansas placed #22 among the best colleges in Kansas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sterling, KS. About 41% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,700. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $30,086. Sterling College Kansas students take on a median of $27,250 in debt.
Bethany College Kansas placed #23 among the best colleges in Kansas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lindsborg, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $29,106. Students borrow a median of $24,438 to complete a degree here.
Ottawa University Ottawa placed #24 among the best colleges in Kansas. Based in Ottawa, KS, Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,880. Ottawa University Ottawa graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,850. Typical student debt is $30,416.
Manhattan Christian College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Manhattan Christian College graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,126. Median early-career earnings reach $36,357. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete a degree here.
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), 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.