Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2025
Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Kansas. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- Many affordable colleges in Kansas provide extensive need-based and merit-based scholarships, as well as work-study options, helping students reduce the cost of attendance through a combination of grants and on-campus employment.
- The most affordable colleges in Kansas emphasize affordable, career-driven degree programs in fields such as agriculture, education, and engineering, paired with robust internship opportunities and high job placement rates, ensuring students receive practical training that leads directly to employment after graduation.
- Many of the most affordable colleges in Kansas offer a wide range of fully online degree programs at lower tuition rates than on-campus options, providing flexibility for working students or those with family commitments while still delivering a high-quality education at a reduced cost.
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Kansas remained fairly stable. Washburn University was able to gain a ranking position as the school created the Innovation and Technology Hub, which offers students hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools in fields such as cybersecurity, digital marketing, and data science. The university has also expanded its healthcare programs, adding new simulation labs and partnerships with local hospitals to provide nursing and allied health students with real-world clinical experience.
Additionally, Washburn has enhanced its student support services, with expanded mental health resources, career counseling, and tutoring services. These updates reflect the university’s focus on technology, healthcare, and comprehensive student support.
There are 8 colleges and universities in Kansas with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Kansas is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #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: $11,700Expenses: $15,432Starting Salary: $59,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Kansas known for?
University of Kansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #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: $10,942Expenses: $18,344Starting Salary: $51,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Kansas State University known for?
Kansas State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024 #4 Best Research Universities in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
54%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Washburn University
Cost of Degree: $9,578Expenses: $14,209Starting Salary: $43,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
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
- #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: $9,322Expenses: $18,490Starting Salary: $45,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
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
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kansas 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Kansas 2024 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Kansas
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
56%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Pittsburg State University
Cost of Degree: $8,156Expenses: $15,994Starting Salary: $44,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Pittsburg State University known for?
Pittsburg State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kansas 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Kansas 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
52%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Emporia State University
Cost of Degree: $7,356Expenses: $15,950Starting Salary: $40,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Emporia State University known for?
Emporia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 15 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #13 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kansas 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in Kansas 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
51%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/21
Career Outlook for degree at Fort Hays State University
Cost of Degree: $5,633Expenses: $14,744Starting Salary: $42,700Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Fort Hays State University known for?
Fort Hays State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Biology
- Political Science
- History
- Business
- Mathematics
- Education
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
24%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Donnelly College
Cost of Degree: $12,353Starting Salary: $28,500What is Donnelly College known for?
Donnelly College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
