2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Kansas
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Kansas? We have ranked 77 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree reviewed 20 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Kansas
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Fort Hays State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Graduate Degrees degree schools in Kansas. Set in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,967. Fort Hays State University alumni report median earnings of $48,928 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants. More on Fort Hays State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Newman University earned it the #2 place in Kansas. Newman University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wichita, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,500. Graduates carry a median of $24,562 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,041 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Newman University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place in Kansas. Located in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Wichita State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,262 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,532. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University has an acceptance rate of 94%. Get the full Wichita State University report
You'll get strong value at Emporia State University, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Emporia State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,131 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,601 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. See the full Emporia State University profile
Out of the 20 schools in Kansas in this year's value ranking, Pittsburg State University landed the #5 spot. Pittsburg State University is a public school based in Pittsburg, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,669. Pittsburg State University alumni report median earnings of $50,579 a decade after entry. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Pittsburg State University
Benedictine College landed the #7 spot for value in Kansas this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atchison, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,990. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,175. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%. See the full Benedictine College profile
Kansas State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Kansas State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,262 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Kansas State University
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,945 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Baker University placed #10 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Based in Baldwin City, KS, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Baker University
Washburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Topeka, KS. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,774. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt. Read more about Washburn University
University Of Saint Mary came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Leavenworth, KS, University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,483. That is a strong return on a $27,810 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Saint Mary
Southwestern College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,822 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Southwestern College alumni report median earnings of $55,646 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,874 median debt. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Southwestern College profile
Friends University placed #14 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Located in Wichita, KS, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,721 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,113 ten years after entry. Set against $29,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. See the full Friends University profile
Ottawa University Online landed the #15 spot for value in Kansas this year. Based in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,296. Students borrow a median of $30,758 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,552. That is a strong return on a $30,758 median debt. Get the full Ottawa University Online report
Ottawa University Kansas City offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Kansas City is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,296. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $30,758. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,552. Set against $30,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Ottawa University Kansas City report
Tabor College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Hillsboro, KS, Tabor College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,200. Median earnings reach $54,058 ten years out. Tabor College has an acceptance rate of 65%. See the full Tabor College profile
Midamerica Nazarene University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Olathe, KS, Midamerica Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,174. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,740. Midamerica Nazarene University alumni report median earnings of $62,972 a decade after entry. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Midamerica Nazarene University
Ottawa University Ottawa placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit school based in Ottawa, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,880. Ottawa University Ottawa Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $30,416 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,552. That is a strong return on a $30,416 median debt. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. More on Ottawa University Ottawa
Kansas Wesleyan University landed the #20 spot for value in Kansas this year. Kansas Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Salina, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,630. Graduates carry a median of $26,076 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,152 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full Kansas Wesleyan University report
Coffeyville Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Coffeyville Community College profile
Hesston College
Hesston College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read the full report on Hesston College
Northwest Kansas Technical College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northwest Kansas Technical College
Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park profile
Manhattan Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Manhattan Christian College profile
Allen County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full Allen County Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Kansas
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Hutchinson Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Hutchinson Community College
Wichita Technical Institute placed #27 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. See the full Wichita Technical Institute profile
Haskell Indian Nations University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Haskell Indian Nations University
Cloud County Community College placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Read the full report on Cloud County Community College
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina landed the #30 spot for value in Kansas this year. Get the full Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina report
Wellspring School Of Allied Health Wichita placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Read the full report on Wellspring School Of Allied Health Wichita
Midwest Barber College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Midwest Barber College
Bethany College Kansas landed the #33 spot for value in Kansas this year. Read the full report on Bethany College Kansas
Independence Community College landed the #34 spot for value in Kansas this year. More on Independence Community College
Fort Scott Community College landed the #35 spot for value in Kansas this year. See the full Fort Scott Community College profile
Galen Health Institutes Wichita offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Galen Health Institutes Wichita report
Garden City Community College placed #37 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. More on Garden City Community College
Kansas Christian College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Kansas Christian College
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Mitsu Sato Hair Academy
Cleveland Chiropractic College placed #40 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Get the full Cleveland Chiropractic College report
Flint Hills Technical College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. More on Flint Hills Technical College
North Central Kansas Technical College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full North Central Kansas Technical College report
Manhattan Area Technical College landed the #43 spot for value in Kansas this year. Read the full report on Manhattan Area Technical College
Z Hair Academy
Z Hair Academy came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Z Hair Academy
Mcpherson College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Mcpherson College report
Saint Paul School Of Theology offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Saint Paul School Of Theology
Johnson County Community College placed #47 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. Read more about Johnson County Community College
Salina Area Technical College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Salina Area Technical College profile
Barclay College
Barclay College placed #49 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Kansas. More on Barclay College
Butler Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Butler Community College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 20 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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