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# Hidden Gem Colleges in Kansas (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

This page lists 7 four-year colleges in Kansas. This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out.

The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [University of Kansas](/school/university-of-kansas/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, with $69,680 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing. The group includes 5 public and 2 private institutions.

Public institutions make up 71% of the list. Central Christian College of Kansas posts the lowest average net price at $11,404. University of Kansas ranks 183rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $69,680 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 93.5% |
|  | [University of Kansas](/school/university-of-kansas/majors/) reports [median earnings of $69,680](/school/university-of-kansas/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
| 2 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $59,707 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 94.0% |
|  | [Wichita State University](/school/wichita-state-university/majors/) [admits 94% of applicants](/school/wichita-state-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $13,194. |
| 3 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $64,711 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
|  | [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) graduates 71% within six years and reports [median earnings of $64,711](/school/kansas-state-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 4 | University of Saint Mary · Leavenworth, KS | $67,112 | $22,519 | $21,899 | 86.6% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Leavenworth, University of Saint Mary shows an average net price of $21,899 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 5 | Fort Hays State University · Hays, KS | $56,419 | $12,569 | $7,661 | 90.3% |
|  | [Fort Hays State University](/school/fort-hays-state-university/majors/) ranks 5th on this list and reports an [average net price of $7,661](/school/fort-hays-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Central Christian College of Kansas · Mcpherson, KS | $55,610 | $11,404 | $11,689 | 52.7% |
|  | Central Christian College of Kansas carries the lowest average net price on the page at $11,404 and admits 53% of applicants. |
| 7 | Emporia State University · Emporia, KS | $53,751 | $16,261 | $11,452 | 97.7% |
|  | Emporia State University admits 98% of applicants and reports median earnings of $53,751 for its graduates four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#hidden-gem). The earnings figures cited for each college are the median earnings of its federally aided completers across all fields, measured four years after completing, among those working and not enrolled. The list does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. Of the 7 colleges on the page, 5 are public and 2 are private nonprofit.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Kansas](/rankings/best-colleges-in-kansas/)
-   [Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-kansas/)
-   Best Colleges for Social Mobility in Kansas