Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2024

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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.

Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2024

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  1. University of Kansas
  2. Kansas State University
  3. Wichita State University
  4. Washburn University
  5. Pittsburg State University
  6. Emporia State University
  7. Fort Hays State University
  8. Donnelly College
  1. University of Kansas
  2. Kansas State University
  3. Wichita State University
  4. Washburn University
  5. Pittsburg State University
  6. Emporia State University
  7. Fort Hays State University
  8. Donnelly College
  1. Emporia State University 96%
  2. Wichita State University 95%
  3. Kansas State University 95%
  4. University of Kansas 88%
  5. Fort Hays State University 88%
  6. Pittsburg State University 86%
  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. Fort Hays State University 15 to 1
  6. Pittsburg State University 14 to 1
  7. Washburn University 13 to 1
  8. Donnelly College 9 to 1
  1. University of Kansas $10,092
  2. Kansas State University $9,489
  3. Washburn University $9,016
  4. Donnelly College $8,736
  5. Wichita State University $6,848
  6. Pittsburg State University $5,836
  7. Emporia State University $5,278
  8. Fort Hays State University $4,140
  1. Kansas State University $10,294
  2. University of Kansas $9,989
  3. Washburn University $9,790
  4. Pittsburg State University $6,820
  5. Emporia State University $6,547
  6. Wichita State University $5,544
  7. Fort Hays State University $3,729
  1. Donnelly College
  2. Fort Hays State University
  3. Emporia State University
  4. Pittsburg State University
  5. Washburn University
  6. Wichita State University
  7. Kansas State University
  8. University of Kansas
  1. Donnelly College
  2. Fort Hays State University
  3. Emporia State University
  4. Pittsburg State University
  5. Washburn University
  6. Wichita State University
  7. Kansas State University
  8. University of Kansas
  1. Pittsburg State University 86%
  2. Fort Hays State University 88%
  3. University of Kansas 88%
  4. Kansas State University 95%
  5. Wichita State University 95%
  6. Emporia State University 96%
  1. Donnelly College 9 to 1
  2. Washburn University 13 to 1
  3. Pittsburg State University 14 to 1
  4. Fort Hays State University 15 to 1
  5. University of Kansas 17 to 1
  6. Emporia State University 17 to 1
  7. Kansas State University 18 to 1
  8. Wichita State University 20 to 1
  1. Fort Hays State University $4,140
  2. Emporia State University $5,278
  3. Pittsburg State University $5,836
  4. Wichita State University $6,848
  5. Donnelly College $8,736
  6. Washburn University $9,016
  7. Kansas State University $9,489
  8. University of Kansas $10,092
  1. Fort Hays State University $3,729
  2. Wichita State University $5,544
  3. Emporia State University $6,547
  4. Pittsburg State University $6,820
  5. Washburn University $9,790
  6. University of Kansas $9,989
  7. Kansas State University $10,294

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 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities Badge
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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.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2023

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. 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

    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
  2. #4

    Washburn University

    Topeka , KS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Washburn University

    Cost of Degree: $9,126
    Expenses: $13,942
    Starting Salary: $43,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pittsburg State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,774
    Expenses: $15,440
    Starting Salary: $44,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. 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
  5. Other Rankings

    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: $5,430
    Expenses: $14,185
    Starting Salary: $42,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Fort Hays State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. #8

    Donnelly College

    Kansas City , KS

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Donnelly College

    Cost of Degree: $10,372
    Starting Salary: $28,500
    What is Donnelly College known for?

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

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Kansas’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive
  1. Fort Hays State University
  2. University of Arkansas Grantham
  3. Emporia State University
  4. Pittsburg State University
  5. Donnelly College
  6. Wichita State University
  7. Washburn University
  8. Kansas State University
  9. University of Kansas
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