Best Community Colleges in Kansas 2024

BEST IN KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Kansas offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in Kansas

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  1. Haskell Indian Nations University
  2. Butler Community College
  3. Garden City Community College
  4. Dodge City Community College
  5. Kansas City Kansas Community College
  6. Johnson County Community College
  7. Hutchinson Community College
  8. Independence Community College
  9. Seward County Community College
  10. Coffeyville Community College
  1. Haskell Indian Nations University 94%
  1. Haskell Indian Nations University 26 to 1
  2. Pratt Community College 21 to 1
  3. Coffeyville Community College 21 to 1
  4. Allen Community College 20 to 1
  5. Fort Scott Community College 18 to 1
  6. Independence Community College 18 to 1
  7. Barton Community College 18 to 1
  8. Cowley Community College 18 to 1
  9. Hutchinson Community College 18 to 1
  10. Butler Community College 17 to 1
  1. Northwest Kansas Technical College $17,000
  2. Manhattan Area Technical College $7,650
  3. Salina Area Technical College $7,460
  4. Flint Hills Technical College $6,520
  5. Neosho County Community College $5,032
  6. Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology $4,558
  7. Allen Community College $3,080
  8. Butler Community College $2,900
  9. Hutchinson Community College $2,850
  10. Kansas City Kansas Community College $2,640
    1. Cowley Community College
    2. Flint Hills Technical College
    3. Allen Community College
    4. Pratt Community College
    5. Highland Community College
    6. Northwest Kansas Technical College
    7. Salina Area Technical College
    8. Neosho County Community College
    9. Labette Community College
    10. Manhattan Area Technical College
    1. Haskell Indian Nations University 94%
    1. Salina Area Technical College 5 to 1
    2. Northwest Kansas Technical College 11 to 1
    3. Neosho County Community College 11 to 1
    4. Kansas City Kansas Community College 12 to 1
    5. Dodge City Community College 12 to 1
    6. Labette Community College 12 to 1
    7. Garden City Community College 14 to 1
    8. Flint Hills Technical College 14 to 1
    9. Cloud County Community College 14 to 1
    10. Highland Community College 14 to 1
    1. Haskell Indian Nations University $480
    2. Coffeyville Community College $1,248
    3. Dodge City Community College $1,410
    4. Labette Community College $1,728
    5. Highland Community College $1,810
    6. Fort Scott Community College $1,860
    7. Garden City Community College $1,860
    8. Cowley Community College $2,040
    9. Independence Community College $2,100
    10. Pratt Community College $2,112

      Colleges and Universities in Kansas

      Prospective students searching for both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Kansas can choose from a wide range of excellent schools. The Sunflower State offers a wide range of highly accessible public options for Kansas students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines.

      Kansas is noted for its 23 community and technical colleges. These institutions provide numerous pathways to traditional and online degree programs, and well as online certificate programs for working professionals.

      Kansas also has nine public universities, the largest being the University of Kansas (KU) with over 28,000 students. The school’s main campus is located in Lawrence, Kansas, but there are four other locations where students can attend KU classes: Overland Park, Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina. This means there are plenty of options for Kansas students seeking an on-campus experience and in state tuition rates.

      It should also be noted that online students attending public colleges in Kansas are also entitled to in state tuition rates.

      Find college admissions consultants in your state.

      Kansas is also home to 22 private higher education institutions, with tuition ranging from $7,000 to $31,000.

      In addition, students can choose from one of 18 religiously affiliated schools, including Newman University, Wichita - a Catholic liberal arts university serving the state’s largest private school student population at just over 2,000.

      Kansas boasts an array of affordable options for both on-campus and online learners. The average tuition for a year of college in Kansas is $9,230, which is below the national average.

      Kansas awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in popular fields of study, like economics, health services administration, early childhood education, elementary education, business administration, and more. Specialized degrees include aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas and agribusiness from Kansas State University.

      Students who earn degrees in the medical and health care fields may have access to loan forgiveness-based programs, such as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This financial aid program awards up to $50,000, tax free, for those who serve two years at an approved site.

      Arguably, it was the 1939 cinema classic, The Wizard of Oz, that put Kansas on the map. But this midwestern state is also known for its mouth-watering barbecue, open plains, and vast sunflower fields. Prospective students can also choose from traditional and online schools and universities across the state of Kansas.

      See what Kansas has to offer by checking out the top undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as unique educational opportunities like online certificate programs and degree completion programs.


      What are Kansas’s Colleges & Universities?

      Kansas’s Best Overall

      Kansas's Best Community Colleges Badge
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      We’ve identified 25 community colleges in Kansas. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Kansas.

      If you’re interested in an online associate degree, visit our best online associate degrees in Kansas page.

      Best Community Colleges in Kansas

      1. #1

        Butler Community College

        El Dorado , KS

        Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        31%

        Student body

        5K

        Career Outlook for degree at Butler Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,176
        Expenses: $9,985
        Starting Salary: $36,100
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Butler Community College known for?

        Butler Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      2. Tuition + fees

        $0K

        Acceptance

        94%

        Graduation

        33%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Haskell Indian Nations University

        Cost of Degree: $480
        Expenses: $8,170
        Starting Salary: $27,500
        Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Haskell Indian Nations University known for?

        Haskell Indian Nations University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      3. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        50%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Seward County Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,648
        Expenses: $10,990
        Starting Salary: $37,400
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Seward County Community College known for?

        Seward County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      4. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        35%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Coffeyville Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,040
        Expenses: $10,550
        Starting Salary: $36,600
        Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Coffeyville Community College known for?

        Coffeyville Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      5. Other Rankings

        Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        26%

        Student body

        10K

        Career Outlook for degree at Johnson County Community College

        Cost of Degree: $2,688
        Starting Salary: $41,200
        What is Johnson County Community College known for?

        Johnson County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      6. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        44%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Hutchinson Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,540
        Expenses: $12,098
        Starting Salary: $37,500
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Hutchinson Community College known for?

        Hutchinson Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      7. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        30%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Dodge City Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,470
        Expenses: $12,296
        Starting Salary: $37,300
        Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Dodge City Community College known for?

        Dodge City Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      8. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        32%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Kansas City Kansas Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,300
        Expenses: $18,290
        Starting Salary: $34,400
        Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Kansas City Kansas Community College known for?

        Kansas City Kansas Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      9. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        22%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Independence Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,440
        Expenses: $9,876
        Starting Salary: $31,300
        Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Independence Community College known for?

        Independence Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      10. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        27%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Fort Scott Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,510
        Expenses: $11,557
        Starting Salary: $35,100
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Fort Scott Community College known for?

        Fort Scott Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      11. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        43%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Garden City Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,450
        Expenses: $12,240
        Starting Salary: $37,000
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Garden City Community College known for?

        Garden City Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      12. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        33%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Neosho County Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,000
        Expenses: $11,686
        Starting Salary: $36,700
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Neosho County Community College known for?

        Neosho County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      13. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        47%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Cloud County Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,480
        Expenses: $12,152
        Starting Salary: $33,600
        Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Cloud County Community College known for?

        Cloud County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      14. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        24%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Labette Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,488
        Starting Salary: $36,000
        What is Labette Community College known for?

        Labette Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      15. Tuition + fees

        $6K

        Graduation

        38%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

        Cost of Degree: $5,963
        Starting Salary: $34,400
        What is Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology known for?

        Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      16. Tuition + fees

        $8K

        Graduation

        69%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Manhattan Area Technical College

        Cost of Degree: $7,650
        Starting Salary: $44,200
        What is Manhattan Area Technical College known for?

        Manhattan Area Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      17. #17

        Barton Community College

        Great Bend , KS

        Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        44%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Barton Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,776
        Expenses: $14,780
        Starting Salary: $35,500
        Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Barton Community College known for?

        Barton Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      18. Tuition + fees

        $7K

        Graduation

        62%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Salina Area Technical College

        Cost of Degree: $7,460
        Starting Salary: $36,500
        What is Salina Area Technical College known for?

        Salina Area Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      19. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        41%

        Student body

        2K

        Career Outlook for degree at Highland Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,570
        Expenses: $10,030
        Starting Salary: $36,100
        Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Highland Community College known for?

        Highland Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      20. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        51%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Colby Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,013
        Expenses: $11,044
        Starting Salary: $36,400
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Colby Community College known for?

        Colby Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      21. Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        41%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Pratt Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,908
        Expenses: $11,514
        Starting Salary: $40,600
        Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Pratt Community College known for?

        Pratt Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      22. Tuition + fees

        $7K

        Graduation

        67%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Flint Hills Technical College

        Cost of Degree: $7,032
        Starting Salary: $34,700
        What is Flint Hills Technical College known for?

        Flint Hills Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      23. Tuition + fees

        $3K

        Graduation

        38%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Allen Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,720
        Expenses: $11,744
        Starting Salary: $34,900
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Allen Community College known for?

        Allen Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      24. Tuition + fees

        $17K

        Graduation

        52%

        Student body

        <1K

        What is Northwest Kansas Technical College known for?

        Northwest Kansas Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      25. #25

        Cowley Community College

        Arkansas City , KS

        Tuition + fees

        $4K

        Graduation

        43%

        Student body

        2K

        Career Outlook for degree at Cowley Community College

        Cost of Degree: $3,750
        Expenses: $12,050
        Starting Salary: $36,300
        Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Cowley Community College known for?

        Cowley Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      2021 Ranking Archive

      Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

      1. Butler Community College
      2. Independence Community College
      3. Haskell Indian Nations University
      4. Kansas City Kansas Community College
      5. Labette Community College
      6. Dodge City Community College
      7. Johnson County Community College
      8. Coffeyville Community College
      9. Garden City Community College
      10. Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
      11. Cowley Community College
      12. Neosho County Community College
      13. Colby Community College
      14. Cloud County Community College
      15. Salina Area Technical College
      16. Manhattan Area Technical College
      17. Highland Community College
      18. Flint Hills Technical College
      19. Allen Community College
      20. Northwest Kansas Technical College
      21. Pratt Community College
      22. Barton Community College
      23. Seward County Community College
      24. Hutchinson Community College
      25. Fort Scott Community College
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