by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Kansas, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **22** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 22 graduate schools 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
University Of Kansas tops our 2027 ranking of the best graduate schools in Kansas. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. 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. University Of Kansas graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,289. The median student debt is $23,608.
Kansas State University came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Kansas. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $51,543. The median student debt is $23,546.
The strong outcomes at Pittsburg State University earned it the #3 place in Kansas. Set in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Pittsburg State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,003. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #4 makes Midamerica Nazarene University one of the top graduate schools in Kansas. Based in Olathe, KS, Midamerica Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,799. Midamerica Nazarene University students take on a median of $25,740 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes Wichita State University one of the top graduate schools in Kansas. Wichita State University is a public school based in Wichita, KS. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,278. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete a degree here.
Emporia State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,440. Typical student debt is $23,131.
Fort Hays State University landed the #7 spot in Kansas this year. Based in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. Fort Hays State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,967.
Ottawa University Online placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Kansas. Located in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,296. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,615. Students borrow a median of $30,758 to complete a degree here.
Tabor College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Hillsboro, KS, Tabor College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,200.
Baker University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in Kansas. Based in Baldwin City, KS, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baker University posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,200. Early-career graduates earn a median of $62,916. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete a degree here.
Benedictine College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Atchison, KS, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,255. Graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans.
Newman University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Wichita, KS, Newman University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Students from in state pay about $35,500 in tuition and fees. 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 Kansas City ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,296. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,615. Typical student debt is $30,758.
Southwestern College landed the #14 spot in Kansas this year. 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,036. The median student debt is $26,874.
Saint Paul School Of Theology came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Saint Paul School Of Theology is a private not-for-profit school based in Leawood, KS. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,425 early in their careers.
Washburn University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,955. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete a degree here.
University Of Saint Mary placed #17 among the best graduate schools in Kansas. University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Leavenworth, KS. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,152. Graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans.
Friends University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Wichita, KS, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,192. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete a degree here.
Sterling College Kansas placed #19 among the best graduate schools in Kansas. Set in Sterling, KS, Sterling College Kansas is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 41%. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,700. Sterling College Kansas graduates report median early-career earnings of $30,086. Typical student debt is $27,250.
Ottawa University Ottawa placed #20 among the best graduate schools in Kansas. Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit school based in Ottawa, KS. Ottawa University Ottawa graduates 28% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $35,880 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,850. Typical student debt is $30,416.
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Salina, KS. Kansas Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,630. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,094. Graduates carry a median of $26,076 in student loans.
Central Christian College Of Kansas landed the #22 spot in Kansas this year. Based in McPherson, KS, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a private not-for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,000. Median early-career earnings reach $49,979. Central Christian College Of Kansas students take on a median of $36,560 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled 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.