Best Colleges in Kansas by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Kansas? We ranked all 24 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. University of Kansas comes out on top at 76/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 24 Kansas colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 45/100, on an average net price of $23,378 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is University of Kansas at 76/100.
Graduates of Baker University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $63,855. The lightest price tag belongs to Central Christian College of Kansas at $11,404 a year. The list below ranks every Kansas college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Kansas Colleges by ROI Score
- 1University of KansasLawrence, KS · PublicNet price$18,059/yrMedian earnings$61,94576ROI
- 2Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · PublicNet price$19,406/yrMedian earnings$57,26269ROI
- 3Baker UniversityBaldwin City, KS · Private NonprofitNet price$25,301/yrMedian earnings$63,85565ROI
- 4MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe, KS · Private NonprofitNet price$32,165/yrMedian earnings$62,97262ROI
- 5University of Saint MaryLeavenworth, KS · Private NonprofitNet price$22,519/yrMedian earnings$59,48358ROI
- 6Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · PublicNet price$13,194/yrMedian earnings$51,53257ROI
- 7Newman UniversityWichita, KS · Private NonprofitNet price$19,971/yrMedian earnings$55,04155ROI
- 8Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS · PublicNet price$12,569/yrMedian earnings$48,92852ROI
- 9Washburn UniversityTopeka, KS · PublicNet price$15,280/yrMedian earnings$49,77451ROI
- 10Cleveland University-Kansas CityOverland Park, KS · Private NonprofitNet price$35,764/yrMedian earnings$52,30450ROI
Kansas College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Kansas?
University of Kansas has the highest ROI score in Kansas at 76/100, while the lowest net price among Kansas schools we track is $11,404/year at Central Christian College of Kansas. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Kansas?
The average net price across the 24 Kansas colleges in our dataset is $23,378 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Kansas college has the highest graduate earnings?
Baker University reports the highest median earnings among Kansas schools we scored, at $63,855 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Kansas did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 24 colleges in Kansas on return on investment. Of those, 4 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Kansas Schools by ROI Score
24 schools
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
Baker University
Baldwin City, KS
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, KS
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS
Newman University
Wichita, KS
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS
Washburn University
Topeka, KS
Cleveland University-Kansas City
Overland Park, KS
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS
Ottawa University-Ottawa
Ottawa, KS
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS
Kansas Wesleyan University
Salina, KS
McPherson College
McPherson, KS
Friends University
Wichita, KS
Bethany College
Lindsborg, KS
Bethel College-North Newton
North Newton, KS
Manhattan Christian College
Manhattan, KS
Central Christian College of Kansas
McPherson, KS
Sterling College
Sterling, KS
Barclay College
Haviland, KS
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release