Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas (2026)
Updated
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas lists 23 four-year institutions in Kansas. Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
Fort Hays State University ranks 1st on this list, with an average net price of $7,661 for families earning under $30,000. Across the listed schools, the average net price for families earning under $30,000 ranges from $7,661 to $35,147, with a median of $21,057.
Public institutions account for 6 of the 23 schools, or 26% of the list. University of Kansas ranks 183rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the best on this page.
Central Christian College of Kansas posts the lowest average net price at $11,404.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Hays State University · Hays, KS | $56,419 | $12,569 | $7,661 | 90.3% |
| Fort Hays State University reports an average net price of $7,661 for families earning under $30,000, and its graduates earn a median of $56,419 four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $59,707 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 94.0% |
| Wichita State University admits 94% of applicants and carries an average net price of $9,734 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 3 | Emporia State University · Emporia, KS | $53,751 | $16,261 | $11,452 | 97.7% |
| Emporia State University ranks 3rd on this page, with a six-year completion rate of 56%. | |||||
| 4 | Central Christian College of Kansas · Mcpherson, KS | $55,610 | $11,404 | $11,689 | 52.7% |
| Central Christian College of Kansas, a private nonprofit institution, carries an average net price of $11,689 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $69,680 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 93.5% |
| University of Kansas places 183rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $69,680 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $64,711 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
| Kansas State University posts a six-year completion rate of 71% and reports median earnings of $64,711 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | Tabor College · Hillsboro, KS | $47,989 | $20,205 | $17,884 | 64.6% |
| Tabor College shows an average net price of $17,884 for families earning under $30,000 and a median earnings figure of $47,989 four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Newman University · Wichita, KS | $56,857 | $19,971 | $18,060 | 74.0% |
| Newman University admits 74% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 53%. | |||||
| 9 | Kansas Wesleyan University · Salina, KS | $53,289 | $22,671 | $18,192 | 71.9% |
| Kansas Wesleyan University ranks 9th on this list, with median earnings of $53,289 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | Sterling College · Sterling, KS | $44,980 | $22,371 | $19,068 | 48.2% |
| Sterling College is the most selective school on the page, admitting 48% of applicants. | |||||
| 11 | Washburn University · Topeka, KS | $56,774 | $15,280 | $20,310 | Not reported |
| Washburn University reports an average net price of $20,310 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 53%. | |||||
| 12 | Baker University · Baldwin City, KS | $69,904 | $25,301 | $21,057 | 94.2% |
| Baker University posts median earnings of $69,904 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $21,057 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | Friends University · Wichita, KS | $57,698 | $27,715 | $21,714 | 55.2% |
| Friends University reports median earnings of $57,698 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $21,714 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | University of Saint Mary · Leavenworth, KS | $67,112 | $22,519 | $21,899 | 86.6% |
| Graduates of University of Saint Mary earn a median of $67,112 four years after completing, and the school admits 87% of applicants. | |||||
| 15 | Benedictine College · Atchison, KS | $55,405 | $27,891 | $22,032 | 98.1% |
| Benedictine College posts a six-year completion rate of 62% and an average net price of $22,032 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 16 | Ottawa University-Ottawa · Ottawa, KS | $62,228 | $27,963 | $22,449 | 83.0% |
| Ottawa University-Ottawa ranks 16th on this list, with a median of $62,228 in earnings for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Bethany College · Lindsborg, KS | $45,971 | $27,686 | $22,561 | 56.0% |
| With an admission rate of 56%, Bethany College reports an average net price of $22,561 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 18 | McPherson College · Mcpherson, KS | $50,934 | $26,441 | $22,587 | 76.8% |
| McPherson College graduates earn a median of $50,934 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 34%. | |||||
| 19 | Manhattan Christian College · Manhattan, KS | $39,200 | $24,213 | $23,218 | 100.0% |
| Manhattan Christian College admits 100% of applicants and reports an average net price of $23,218 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 20 | Southwestern College · Winfield, KS | $64,687 | $29,824 | $26,294 | 75.6% |
| Southwestern College ranks 855th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median graduate earnings of $64,687 four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Barclay College · Haviland, KS | $42,262 | $29,290 | $27,180 | 51.0% |
| Barclay College posts a six-year completion rate of 32% and an average net price of $27,180 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 22 | MidAmerica Nazarene University · Olathe, KS | $67,555 | $32,165 | $28,842 | 78.8% |
| Graduates of MidAmerica Nazarene University earn a median of $67,555 four years after completing, and the school admits 79% of applicants. | |||||
| 23 | Bethel College-North Newton · North Newton, KS | $55,094 | $32,917 | $35,147 | 93.5% |
| Bethel College-North Newton reports an average net price of $35,147 for families earning under $30,000, alongside a six-year completion rate of 41%. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. Earnings figures reflect federally aided completers across all fields who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not adjust for who enrolls and is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between Fort Hays State University and Wichita State University is $2,073 for families earning under $30,000, and the spread from top to bottom is $27,486.
Related rankings
- Best Colleges in Kansas
- Best Colleges for Social Mobility in Kansas
- Hidden Gem Colleges in Kansas