Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #1209 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kansas Wesleyan University in the 45.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #1017 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #1209 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Salina, Kansas, Kansas Wesleyan University enrolls roughly 956 undergraduates. Retention stands at 60.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Kansas Wesleyan University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #1017 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kansas Wesleyan University in the 45.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns with regional labor-market demand and supports graduates into stable, well-compensated career pathways. Access and affordability round out the composite. Kansas Wesleyan University enrolls 39.1% Pell-eligible students and 33.0% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a student body drawn from working and middle-income families. Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University in the 40.1 percentile for access and the 41.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private nonprofit master's institution, Kansas Wesleyan University combines residential liberal arts traditions with career-focused programming, positioning itself as an accessible pathway to meaningful earnings gains for students who might otherwise face barriers to four-year degree completion.
Kansas Wesleyan University's published cost of attendance is $47,437. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,192, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $22,442, middle-income families pay about $20,857, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,189, and higher-income families pay roughly $25,113. Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #833 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Kansas Wesleyan participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The institution's aid structure combines need-based grants with loan and work-study options to help bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,546; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,289, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Kansas Wesleyan University is a strong fit for students seeking a small private university experience in KS with a focus on business and related fields. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $53,289, placing Kansas Wesleyan University in the 13.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 45.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 39.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 33.0% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that place Kansas Wesleyan University in the 37.8% percentile for Pell completion among nonprofit four-year institutions. Published cost of attendance is $25,113, and need-based aid can meaningfully close the gap for eligible families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 71.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields — Business represents 20% of degrees. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find a supportive environment and strong earnings trajectory relative to KS's no-degree baseline of $32,165.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Kansas Wesleyan University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kansas Wesleyan University's published cost of attendance is $47,437. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,192, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $22,442, middle-income families pay about $20,857, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,189, and higher-income families pay roughly $25,113.
Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #833 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Kansas Wesleyan participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA.
The institution's aid structure combines need-based grants with loan and work-study options to help bridge the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,546; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,289, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,289, placing the institution in the 13.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,901 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kansas Wesleyan University in the 45.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Kansas Wesleyan University #1017 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Business, which anchors the institution's economic profile.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 32 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,500, representing 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Business Administration follows with 24 graduates earning $59,057, also performing at 0.9x the benchmark.
Additional programs including Criminal Justice, Nursing, and Health/Medical Preparatory Programs round out the institution's portfolio, with 20 and 20 graduates respectively, contributing to consistent outcomes across the undergraduate experience.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
24 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
32 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
20 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
9 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
20 graduates
Kansas Wesleyan University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready undergraduate education. Kinesiology is the largest program with 32 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Nursing, and Health/Medical Preparatory Programs.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 157 students annually, the institution's program portfolio emphasizes applied business, management, and workforce-aligned fields. The highest-earning programs at Kansas Wesleyan University cluster in business and professional disciplines.
Business Administration leads with median earnings of $59,057 four years after enrollment across 24 graduates, followed by Kinesiology with 32 graduates earning $48,500, and Teacher Education with 9 graduates earning $40,174. This earnings concentration reflects Kansas Wesleyan University's positioning as a private institution emphasizing direct workforce entry and professional outcomes over extended graduate study.
The program-mix signature—with Business representing 20%, Education at 5%, and Arts at 5%—reflects a career-focused institutional identity. Most programs at Kansas Wesleyan University are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in business, management, and professional roles.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monmouth College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#33306 ranked) | IL | 91% | $51,110 | #33306 | Compare |
Pacific University Similar quality tier (#33310 ranked) | OR | 90% | $60,583 | #33310 | Compare |
University Of New England Similar quality tier (#33311 ranked) | ME | 92% | $55,921 | #33311 | Compare |
Newberry College Similar quality tier (#33304 ranked) | SC | 90% | $48,040 | #33304 | Compare |
Wilmington College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#33827 ranked) | OH | 92% | $48,491 | #33827 | Compare |
