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Best Schools in Kansas

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2023 Best Schools in Kansas

41 Schools Ranked
$43,083 Average Earnings
$24,672 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

The Best Schools in Kansas ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Kansas to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Kansas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Southwestern College

Winfield, Kansas
$49,694 Average Earnings
$27,267 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Southwestern College the best school in Kansas for students working on their degree.

On average, students take out $27,267 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,694 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
$42,711 Average Earnings
$16,311 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 41 schools in Kansas that were part of this year’s ranking, Johnson County Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,311 in student loans.After graduating from JCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,711 during the early years of their career.

Full Johnson County Community College Report

#3

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
$45,255 Average Earnings
$23,965 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 41 schools in Kansas that were part of this year’s ranking, Kansas State University landed the # 3 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from K -State accumulate an average of $23,965 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $273 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, K -State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,255 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Kansas State University

#4

Ottawa University - Online

Ottawa, Kansas
$48,214 Average Earnings
$31,479 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ottawa University - Online. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Schools in Kansas list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,479 in student loans.After graduating from Ottawa University - Online, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,214 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Ottawa University - Online

#5

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
$50,693 Average Earnings
$23,985 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Kansas helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Kansas.

Degree recipients from KU accumulate an average of $23,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $365, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from KU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,693 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Kansas

$41,940 Average Earnings
$30,604 Avg Student Debt

Rasmussen University - Kansas ranked #6 on this year’s Best Schools in Kansas list.

Degree recipients from Rasmussen University - Kansas accumulate an average of $30,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $127 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Rasmussen University - Kansas graduates make an average of $41,940 annually.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Kansas

$43,454 Average Earnings
$28,036 Avg Student Debt

Fort Hays State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kansas ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,036 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $165, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FHSU graduates make an average of $43,454 annually.

Full Fort Hays State University Report

#8

Baker University

Baldwin City, Kansas
$55,482 Average Earnings
$31,770 Avg Student Debt

Baker University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,770 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $202. During the early years of their career, Baker graduates make an average of $55,482 annually.

Full Baker University Report

$36,485 Average Earnings
$30,942 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Central Christian College of Kansas did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Central Christian College accumulate an average of $30,942 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Christian College graduates make an average of $36,485 annually.

Read full report on Central Christian College of Kansas

#10

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, Kansas
$30,883 Average Earnings
$12,440 Avg Student Debt

Cowley County Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kansas ranking.

Degree recipients from Cowley College accumulate an average of $12,440 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Cowley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,883 during the early years of their career.

Full Cowley County Community College Report

#11

Flint Hills Technical College

Emporia, Kansas
$45,297 Average Earnings
$14,748 Avg Student Debt

Flint Hills Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #11 on the list.

Degree recipients from Flint Hills Technical College accumulate an average of $14,748 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Flint Hills Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,297 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Flint Hills Technical College

#12

Newman University

Wichita, Kansas
$56,885 Average Earnings
$27,879 Avg Student Debt

Newman University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from Newman University accumulate an average of $27,879 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Newman University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,885 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
$41,688 Average Earnings
$21,816 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Pittsburg State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,816 in student loans.After graduating from Pitt State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,688 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Ottawa University - Kansas City

Overland Park, Kansas
$47,843 Average Earnings
$31,724 Avg Student Debt

Ottawa University - Kansas City ranked #14 on this year’s Best Schools in Kansas list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,724 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Ottawa University - Kansas City graduates make an average of $47,843 annually.

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$36,770 Average Earnings
$21,130 Avg Student Debt

North Central Kansas Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #15 on the list.

Degree recipients from North Central Kansas Technical College accumulate an average of $21,130 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Central Kansas Technical College graduates make an average of $36,770 annually.

Read More…

#16

Friends University

Wichita, Kansas
$47,438 Average Earnings
$33,040 Avg Student Debt

Friends University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kansas ranking.

Degree recipients from Friends University accumulate an average of $33,040 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Friends University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,438 during the early year of their career.

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$49,657 Average Earnings
$26,992 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, MidAmerica Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,992 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $429.After graduating from MNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,657 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas
$40,991 Average Earnings
$22,476 Avg Student Debt

Emporia State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kansas ranking.

Degree recipients from ESU accumulate an average of $22,476 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $162, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ESU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,991 during the early year of their career.

Full Emporia State University Report

#19

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, Kansas
$38,555 Average Earnings
$18,967 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Hutchinson Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College accumulate an average of $18,967 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Hutchinson Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,555 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#20

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
$44,384 Average Earnings
$22,201 Avg Student Debt

Washburn University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $22,201 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $187, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Washburn University graduates make an average of $44,384 annually.

Read More…

#21

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City, Kansas
$34,587 Average Earnings
$15,005 Avg Student Debt

Kansas City Kansas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #21 on the list.

On average, students take out $15,005 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates make an average of $34,587 annually.

Read More…

#22

Grantham University

Lenexa, Kansas
$55,745 Average Earnings
$28,781 Avg Student Debt

Grantham University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Kansas ranking.

On average, students take out $28,781 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Grantham University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,745 during the early years of their career.

Full Grantham University Report

#23

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
$45,743 Average Earnings
$26,875 Avg Student Debt

Wichita State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,875 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $142 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,743 during the early year of their career.

Full Wichita State University Report

#24

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, Kansas
$41,383 Average Earnings
$15,719 Avg Student Debt

Barton County Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Schools in Kansas list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,719 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Barton Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,383 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Barton County Community College

#25

Benedictine College

Atchison, Kansas
$34,471 Average Earnings
$21,853 Avg Student Debt

Benedictine College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Schools in Kansas list.

On average, students take out $21,853 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Benedictine College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,471 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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