by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Kansas, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **44** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 44 colleges using more than 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.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
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Here are the top-ranked colleges:
University Of Kansas earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Kansas. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,289. The median student debt is $23,608.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the top colleges in Kansas. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,543. Typical student debt is $23,546.
A rank of #3 makes Flint Hills Technical College one of the top colleges in Kansas. Based in Emporia, KS, Flint Hills Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,944 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,435. Students borrow a median of $14,690 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Pittsburg, KS. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,003. Pittsburg State University students take on a median of $22,669 in debt.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Kansas. This public school is set in Salina, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,128. Salina Area Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $38,440. Graduates carry a median of $17,124 in student loans.
Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #6 spot in Kansas this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Olathe, KS. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Median early-career earnings reach $63,799. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete a degree here.
Manhattan Area Technical College placed #7 among the best colleges in Kansas. Located in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Manhattan Area Technical College students take on a median of $15,499 in debt.
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Beloit, KS, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350.
Baker University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Baldwin City, KS, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,200. Median early-career earnings reach $62,916. Graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans.
Benedictine College placed #10 among the best colleges in Kansas. Set in Atchison, KS, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. Benedictine College posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,350. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,255. The median student debt is $24,990.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Topeka, KS, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,880. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,749. Typical student debt is $11,362.
Fort Hays State University placed #12 among the best colleges in Kansas. Fort Hays State University is a public school based in Hays, KS. Fort Hays State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,775. Typical student debt is $25,967.
Wichita State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Wichita State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,278. Wichita State University students take on a median of $24,262 in debt.
Hutchinson Community College placed #14 among the best colleges 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans.
Johnson County Community College placed #15 among the best colleges in Kansas. This public school is set in Overland Park, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,473. Typical student debt is $13,532.
Emporia State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Emporia State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,440. Graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans.
Northwest Kansas Technical College placed #17 among the best colleges in Kansas. Based in Goodland, KS, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,638 early in their careers.
Neosho County Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Chanute, KS, Neosho County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,672. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete a degree here.
Tabor College placed #19 among the best colleges in Kansas. Located in Hillsboro, KS, Tabor College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,200.
Ottawa University Online landed the #20 spot in Kansas this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Overland Park, KS. Ottawa University Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,615. Ottawa University Online students take on a median of $30,758 in debt.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #21 among the best colleges in Kansas. Set in Wichita, KS, Wichita Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,237. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $35,358. Wichita Area Technical College students take on a median of $11,828 in debt.
Southwestern College placed #22 among the best colleges in Kansas. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,822. Southwestern College graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,036. Southwestern College students take on a median of $26,874 in debt.
Washburn University landed the #23 spot in Kansas this year. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans.
Hesston College placed #24 among the best colleges in Kansas. Set in Hesston, KS, Hesston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hesston College graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,936. Hesston College graduates report median early-career earnings of $68,338. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete a degree here.
Newman University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Newman University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,500. Early-career graduates earn a median of $73,004. Typical student debt is $24,562.
Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on 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.