Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2024

Badge for BEST IN KANSAS GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Kansas offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Kansas

Sort by:
  1. University of Kansas
  2. Kansas State University
  3. Wichita State University
  4. Baker University
  5. Emporia State University
  6. Southwestern College
  7. University of Saint Mary
  1. University of Kansas
  2. Kansas State University
  3. Wichita State University
  4. Baker University
  5. Emporia State University
  6. Southwestern College
  7. University of Saint Mary
  1. Emporia State University 96%
  2. Wichita State University 95%
  3. Kansas State University 95%
  4. Baker University 92%
  5. University of Kansas 88%
  6. University of Saint Mary 82%
  7. Southwestern College 70%
  1. Wichita State University 20 to 1
  2. Kansas State University 18 to 1
  3. University of Kansas 17 to 1
  4. Emporia State University 17 to 1
  5. Baker University 13 to 1
  6. University of Saint Mary 12 to 1
  7. Southwestern College 9 to 1
  1. Southwestern College $36,650
  2. University of Saint Mary $32,540
  3. Baker University $32,320
  4. University of Kansas $10,092
  5. Kansas State University $9,489
  6. Wichita State University $6,848
  7. Emporia State University $5,278
  1. Southwestern College $13,140
  2. Baker University $11,466
  3. University of Saint Mary $11,232
  4. Kansas State University $10,294
  5. University of Kansas $9,989
  6. Emporia State University $6,547
  7. Wichita State University $5,544
  1. University of Saint Mary
  2. Southwestern College
  3. Emporia State University
  4. Baker University
  5. Wichita State University
  6. Kansas State University
  7. University of Kansas
  1. University of Saint Mary
  2. Southwestern College
  3. Emporia State University
  4. Baker University
  5. Wichita State University
  6. Kansas State University
  7. University of Kansas
  1. Southwestern College 70%
  2. University of Saint Mary 82%
  3. University of Kansas 88%
  4. Baker University 92%
  5. Kansas State University 95%
  6. Wichita State University 95%
  7. Emporia State University 96%
  1. Southwestern College 9 to 1
  2. University of Saint Mary 12 to 1
  3. Baker University 13 to 1
  4. University of Kansas 17 to 1
  5. Emporia State University 17 to 1
  6. Kansas State University 18 to 1
  7. Wichita State University 20 to 1
  1. Emporia State University $5,278
  2. Wichita State University $6,848
  3. Kansas State University $9,489
  4. University of Kansas $10,092
  5. Baker University $32,320
  6. University of Saint Mary $32,540
  7. Southwestern College $36,650
  1. Wichita State University $5,544
  2. Emporia State University $6,547
  3. University of Kansas $9,989
  4. Kansas State University $10,294
  5. University of Saint Mary $11,232
  6. Baker University $11,466
  7. Southwestern College $13,140

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 Grad Schools Badge
Download Badge

There are 7 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Kansas. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Kansas is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

Kansas is home to some of the best online MBA programs in the country. Check out our ranking here.

Back to Top

Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2023

  3. #3

    Wichita State University

    Wichita , KS
    #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1106/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Wichita State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,866
    Expenses: $17,260
    Starting Salary: $45,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wichita State University known for?

    Wichita State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Baker University

    Baldwin City , KS
    #3 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #23 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Baker University

    Cost of Degree: $32,220
    Expenses: $15,930
    Starting Salary: $59,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Baker University known for?

    Baker University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Emporia State University

    Emporia , KS
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Emporia State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,001
    Expenses: $14,658
    Starting Salary: $40,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Emporia State University known for?

    Emporia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Southwestern College

    Winfield , KS
    #6 Best Christian Colleges in Kansas 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kansas 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Southwestern College

    Cost of Degree: $36,650
    Expenses: $17,600
    Starting Salary: $54,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Southwestern College known for?

    Southwestern College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    University of Saint Mary

    Leavenworth , KS
    #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Kansas #20 20 Fastest Accelerated Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1000/19

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Saint Mary

    Cost of Degree: $32,540
    Expenses: $13,860
    Starting Salary: $42,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Saint Mary known for?

    University of Saint Mary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
Back to Top

Kansas’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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. University of Kansas
  2. Kansas State University
  3. Wichita State University
  4. Baker University
  5. Southwestern College
  6. Emporia State University
Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here