Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN KANSAS RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

By Dr. James Barham

Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in Kansas? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024

University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Washburn University
Baker University

University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Washburn University
Baker University

Wichita State University 95%
Kansas State University 95%
Baker University 92%
University of Kansas 88%

Wichita State University 20 to 1
Kansas State University 18 to 1
University of Kansas 17 to 1
Washburn University 13 to 1
Baker University 13 to 1

Baker University $32,320
University of Kansas $10,092
Kansas State University $9,489
Washburn University $9,016
Wichita State University $6,848

Baker University $11,466
Kansas State University $10,294
University of Kansas $9,989
Washburn University $9,790
Wichita State University $5,544

Baker University
Washburn University
Wichita State University
Kansas State University
University of Kansas

Baker University
Washburn University
Wichita State University
Kansas State University
University of Kansas

University of Kansas 88%
Baker University 92%
Kansas State University 95%
Wichita State University 95%

Washburn University 13 to 1
Baker University 13 to 1
University of Kansas 17 to 1
Kansas State University 18 to 1
Wichita State University 20 to 1

Wichita State University $6,848
Washburn University $9,016
Kansas State University $9,489
University of Kansas $10,092
Baker University $32,320

Wichita State University $5,544
Washburn University $9,790
University of Kansas $9,989
Kansas State University $10,294
Baker University $11,466

Table of Contents

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

How do we determine Kansas's best research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 5 research universities in Kansas. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2023

#1
University of Kansas
Lawrence , KS
#8 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
67%
Student body
29K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/24
Career Outlook for degree at University of Kansas
Cost of Degree: $11,700
Expenses: $15,432
Starting Salary: $59,300
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is University of Kansas known for?

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

Anthropology
Social Work
History
Psychology
Earth Sciences
Sociology
Mathematics
Chemistry
Biology
Business

Most Influential Alumni

Vernon L. Smith
Paul R. Ehrlich
Richard Herrnstein
Frank Harris
Rex Stout
Robert Morris
Roger Barker
Larry Laudan
Martin Gutzwiller
Wilt Chamberlain
Clyde Tombaugh
Hobart Muir Smith
Compare school
#2
Kansas State University
Manhattan , KS
#3 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #13 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #2 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
69%
Student body
23K
Career Outlook for degree at Kansas State University
Cost of Degree: $10,942
Expenses: $18,344
Starting Salary: $51,900
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Kansas State University known for?

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

Chemistry
Biology
Computer Science
Engineering
Anthropology
Economics
Physics
History
Business
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Vernon L. Smith
Paul R. Ehrlich
Samuel Wendell Williston
Clyde Tombaugh
Hobart Muir Smith
Sara Paretsky
Juan Manuel Santos
David Fairchild
Alexander Wetmore
Jay Laurence Lush
Russell C. Eberhart
Gary L. Wells
Compare school
#3
Wichita State University
Wichita , KS
#2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024
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: $9,322
Expenses: $18,490
Starting Salary: $45,400
Cost Recoup Time: 12 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:

Criminal Justice
History
Engineering
Physics
Education
Mathematics
Earth Sciences
Business
Literature
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Michael McClure
Dale Allison
Harold G. White
Manly Wade Wellman
Bruce Conner
Lincoln LaPaz
M. Lee Pelton
Ken Orr
Joe Carter
Mona Nemer
Ruth A. David
Wolt Fabrycky
Wichita State University’s Online Degrees
BAS in Workforce Leadership And Applied Learning

Degree Concentrations
Emergency And Public Service Leadership
Hospitality Management
Education And Innovation

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Education- Early Childhood United/Elementary Education Apprentice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in General Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Aging Studies

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/MHA in Health Administration (Bachelor'S To Master'S)

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSDH in Dental Hygiene

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSET in Engineering Technology Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Washburn University
Topeka , KS
#1 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2025 #4 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
54%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Washburn University
Cost of Degree: $9,578
Expenses: $14,209
Starting Salary: $43,500
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Washburn University known for?

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

Law
Literature
Criminal Justice
Business
Communications
Medical
History
Political Science
Education
Engineering

Most Influential Alumni

Larry Niven
Earl Wilbur Sutherland Jr.
Carl Rowan
Bob Dole
John Brooks Slaughter
Don W. Wilson
Georgia Louise Harris Brown
Robert Soucy
Kerry Livgren
Walter Broadnax
Karl Bowman
Sokoni Karanja
Washburn University’s Online Degrees
BAS in Technology Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Human Services

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BIS in Integrated Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Baker University
Baldwin City , KS
#3 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time 2025 #20 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Kansas 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
48%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Baker University
Cost of Degree: $33,800
Expenses: $17,160
Starting Salary: $59,500
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Baker University known for?

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

Nursing
Medical
History
Philosophy
Mathematics
Business
Sociology
Physics
Education
Chemistry

Most Influential Alumni

Robert Leuci
Mike McCarthy
Charles Richard Stith
Harold C. Case
Charles S. Braden
Marilyn Bailey Ogilvie
Barbara Bachmann
Earl C. Arnold
Warren Ault
Kevin Mahogany
LeRoy D. Brown
Baker University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business Leadership

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Management

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Marketing

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

Find the Best Research Universities in Kansas for Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024

Colleges and Universities in Kansas

What are Kansas’s Colleges & Universities?

Kansas’s Best Overall

Best Research Universities in Kansas 2023

University of Kansas

Career Outlook for degree at University of Kansas

Most Influential Alumni

Kansas State University

Career Outlook for degree at Kansas State University

Most Influential Alumni

Wichita State University

Career Outlook for degree at Wichita State University

Most Influential Alumni

Wichita State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Washburn University

Career Outlook for degree at Washburn University

Most Influential Alumni

Washburn University’s Online Degrees

Baker University

Career Outlook for degree at Baker University

Most Influential Alumni

Baker University’s Online Degrees

Find the Best Research Universities in Kansas for Your Area of Interest