collageProspective 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.
Best Colleges In Kansas
When considering schools in a specific state, it’s crucial to know the employment outlook for that state. As of October 2021, the top five industries in Kansas are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; goods-producing; education and health services; and professional and business services.
And if you want to dive a little deeper, you might be interested in learning about the fastest growing careers in Kansas. The top five fastest growing occupations in the state for workers with a bachelor’s degree are information security analysts, logisticians, data scientists, medical and health services managers, and operations research analysts.
Kansas has a significant number of major companies that employ thousands of people. Some of the top employers in the state include Spirit Aerosystems, Kansas State University, Wesley Medical Center, S&C Electric Co., and Stormont Vail Healthcare.
1. North Central Kansas Technical College
Score: 100.0
Average Net Price: $12,985
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 68%
Salary After Attending: $42,964
North Central Kansas Technical College is located in Beloit, Kansas. It is ranked by Niche.com as number four on its list of the best community colleges in Kansas. It is also listed as number 25 on the Niche list of best community colleges in America. With an acceptance rate of 100 percent, the college has 519 full-time undergraduate students and 334 part-time undergraduates. The most popular degree programs at the institution are nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse training, and automotive mechanics. Freshman students are required to live in on-campus housing, and 18 percent of the school’s students are over the age of 25.
2. Fort Hays State University
Score: 98.5
Average Net Price: $13,189
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 57%
Salary After Attending: $42,518
Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University is one of the best schools in Kansas for distance education. In fact, it ranks at number 30 on Niche’s list of the best online colleges in America. U.S. News ranks the institution at number 117-153 on its list of the best regional universities in the Midwest. Business, business support services, economics, nursing, information science, psychology, and liberal arts and humanities are popular majors. The university has high enrollment for its degrees in communications and in physical education teaching, too. Currently, Fort Hays State University has 5,889 full-time undergraduate students and 6,605 part-time undergraduate students, and 24 percent of undergraduates are over the age of 25. The school has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, and 97 percent of students receive financial aid.
3. Salina Area Technical College
Score: 97.8
Average Net Price: $10,037
Retention Rate: 66%
Graduation Rate: 75%
Salary After Attending: $38,477
Salina Area Technical College is a small institution with 174 full-time undergraduates and 424 part-time undergraduates. More than 30 percent of students are over the age of 25, and the school has an acceptance rate of 100 percent. There is no application fee for the college, and 94 percent of graduates are employed within two years of graduation. Popular majors at Salina Area Technical College include nursing assistant, health aide, automotive mechanics, welding, emergency care attendant, and dental assisting.
4. Pittsburg State University
Score: 97.3
Average Net Price: $14,575
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 55%
Salary After Attending: $45,937
Located in the small town of Pittsburg, this university is recognized as one of the best colleges in Kansas. It currently sits at number three on the Niche list of top public colleges in the state, and U.S. News ranks it as 95 on its list of the top regional universities in the Midwest. Founded in 1903, the school now has more than 5,100 undergraduates and an 87 percent acceptance rate. The most popular majors at Pittsburg State include nursing, elementary education, business, psychology, communications, and biology. Construction management, accounting, and marketing also have high student enrollment. While the college does not offer evening degree programs, it has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, and 63 percent of Pittsburg State students describe it as having a friendly atmosphere.
5. Newman University
Score: 97.3
Average Net Price: $17,903
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 58%
Salary After Attending: $49,787
Founded in 1933, Newman University is a private institution in the city of Wichita. It is a Roman Catholic university that currently ranks as number 105 on the U.S. News list of the top regional universities in the Midwest. The university is ranked third on the Niche list of best value colleges in the state. Students at Newman University can take advantage of evening degree program options, and the student-faculty ratio is 11:1. Nursing, elementary education, biology, business, radiation therapy, occupational therapy, and psychology are among the most popular majors. In terms of athletics, the school is part of the NCAA Division II, and it also participates in the Heartland Conference. More than 90 percent of Newman graduates are employed two years after graduation.
6. Northwest Kansas Technical College
Score: 99.2
Average Net Price: $11,779
Retention Rate: 58%
Graduation Rate: 70%
Salary After Attending: $36,776
Northwest Kansas Technical College is a public college founded in 1964 and has served the Goodland, Kansas area ever since. Their student-faculty ratio is 12-to-1, ensuring an above average level of teacher attention is available to each student. NWKTC offers certifications and degrees in 13 different fields. The school accepts 100% of its applicants and counts work experience as credit toward its technical degrees. NWKTC’s mission as a school is to prepare students and alumni for “gainful employment in technical and professional careers, productive personal lives, and lifelong learning”.
7. Manhattan Area Technical College
Score: 97.0
Average Net Price: $13,898
Retention Rate: 73%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Salary After Attending: $46,687
Manhattan Area Technical College ranks eighth on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in Kansas. The institution is also ranked by Niche as number 183 out of 871 on its list of the best community colleges in America. More than 80 percent of students receive financial aid, and 52 percent of students receive Pell grants. The college has 331 full-time undergraduates and 591 part-time undergraduates. Nearly 50 percent of Manhattan Area Technical College undergraduates are over the age of 25. With a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, nursing assisting is the most popular major. Other in-demand majors include those for nursing, electrical engineering technology, welding, business support services, licensed practical nurse training, automotive mechanics, and drafting and design. Evening degree programs are available, and 93 percent of Manhattan Area Technical College are employed within two years of graduation.
8. Pratt Community College
Score: 96.3
Average Net Price: $9,158
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 41%
Salary After Attending: $42,203
Pratt Community College offers certificates and associate’s degrees in a wide range of subjects. The institution’s nursing assistant, liberal arts, humanities, electrical engineering technician, and health aide programs are among the most popular majors, and students can also study agricultural business, computer systems networking, and licensed practical nursing as well. There are 584 full-time undergraduates and 530 part-time undergraduates enrolled at the college, and freshman students live in on-campus housing. Although the school does not offer evening degree courses, it boasts a student-faculty ratio of 24:1, and 83 percent of students agree that their professors put significant effort into teaching. In terms of school athletics, Pratt Community College is a member of the NJCAA Division 1, and 34 percent of the students are varsity athletes. Pratt has an open admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 100 percent, and 97 percent of students receive financial aid. There is no application fee at this institution.
9. Emporia State University
Score: 95.8
Average Net Price: $14,794
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 51%
Salary After Attending: $40,772
Founded in 1863, Emporia State University ranks at 95 on the U.S. News list of the best regional universities in the Midwest. It is one of the best universities in Kansas and ranks at number four on Niche’s list of the top public universities in the state. With an 83 percent acceptance rate, the college has 3,340 full-time undergraduates and 265 part-time undergraduates. Nearly 10 percent of undergraduates at the institution are over the age of 25, and 95 percent of students receive financial aid. The student-faculty ratio at Emporia State is 17:1, and elementary education is the most popular major. Other in-demand degree programs at the school include business, nursing, accounting, and public health education. Emporia State University ranks at number 60 out of 790 on Niche’s list of the best colleges for education in America, and it is also ranked at 236 out of 668 on the site’s list of the top public universities in the nation.
10. Garden City Community College
Score: 95.3
Average Net Price: $5,217
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 33%
Salary After Attending: $36,547
Garden City Community College is ranked as number 13 on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in Kansas, and it is nationally ranked as number 323 on Niche’s list of the top community colleges in the nation. With an acceptance rate of 100 percent, 94 percent of Garden City Community College students are offered financial aid. Pell grants are awarded to 52 percent of students as well. The student-faculty ratio at the college is 16:1, and freshman students live in on-campus housing. There are 1,182 full-time undergraduates and 882 part-time undergraduates at the school. Six percent of undergraduates are over age 25, and 26 percent of the students are varsity athletes. The school does not provide evening degree programs or daycare services. In addition to the liberal arts and humanities, the school’s most popular subject areas are nursing, business, licensed practical nurse training, education, welding, and pre-medicine training. Programs for agricultural production operations, agricultural mechanics and machinery, and cosmetology are in demand as well. Nearly 90 percent of students are employed within two years of graduation from this institution.
11. Seward County Community College
Score: 95.0
Average Net Price: $6,789
Retention Rate: 60%
Graduation Rate: 43%
Salary After Attending: $37,098
Seward County Community College is ranked ninth on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in Kansas. It has 769 full-time undergraduates and 977 part-time undergraduates, and students can take part in evening degree courses. The school’s student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and 92 percent of students feel that the professors at the college put a lot of effort into their teaching. In addition to the liberal arts and humanities, the most popular degree programs at Seward County Community College include nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse training, health aides and health attendants, surgical technologist, and automotive mechanics. The school offers popular programs in cosmetology, business, and commercial vehicle operation as well.
12. Hutchinson Community College
Score: 94.8
Average Net Price: $6,969
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 28%
Salary After Attending: $38,724
Hutchinson Community College is ranked by Niche as the best community college in Kansas. It is also one of the top community colleges in the United States, ranking 17 out of 871 on the Niche list of the best community colleges in America. With an acceptance rate of 100 percent, 91 percent of students receive financial aid. The most popular majors at Hutchinson Community College are the liberal arts and humanities, nursing, licensed practical nurse training, medical records technician, welding, and fire science (fire fighting). Other programs with high student enrollment numbers include automotive mechanics, physical therapy technician, surgical technologist, and cosmetology. Currently, the community college has 2,242 full-time undergraduate students and 3,612 part-time undergraduates. Freshman students live in on-campus housing, and the institution offers daycare services for students with children. Evening degree programs are available, and the student-faculty ratio is 18:1.
13. Central Christian College of Kansas
Score: 93.0
Average Net Price: $13,256
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 37%
Salary After Attending: $41,664
Located in the city of McPherson, the Central Christian College of Kansas is a private, four-year Christian institution. The college has an acceptance rate of 39 percent, and early decision options are available to applicants. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission. Niche ranks the college as number 152 on its list of the safest colleges in the United States, and it is also ranked as number 238 on Niche’s list of the country’s most conservative colleges. Evening degree programs are offered, and the school has a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. There are 730 full-time undergraduates and 135 part-time undergraduates, and over half of the undergraduate students are over the age of 25. Financial aid is awarded to 100 percent of students, and 64 percent of those enrolled at the college are awarded Pell grants. Criminal justice is the most popular major at the Central Christian College of Kansas, and other high-demand programs include business, psychology, healthcare management, exercise science, and sport and fitness management. Although the institution does not offer Greek life opportunities, 30 percent of the students are varsity athletes, and the college is a member of NAIA Division 1. The school also participates in the Sooner Athletic Conference. 89 percent of the school’s graduates are employed within two years of graduation.
14. Colby Community College
Score: 92.3
Average Net Price: $9,504
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Salary After Attending: $32,753
Colby Community College is located in Northwest Kansas and, since its founding in 1964, it has offered a wide variety of hands-on, technical, and online training and education. With the already low cost that comes with attending a community college, CCC students are awarded an average of $5,762 per year in student aid. In the seven fields of study offered at CCC, a variety of one and two-year degree and transfer programs are provided to help students tailor their experience and expertise to their needs and career plans.
15. Dodge City Community College
Score: 92.0
Average Net Price: $5,914
Retention Rate: 52%
Graduation Rate: 31%
Salary After Attending: $36,722
Dodge City Community College is a public school located in Dodge City, Kansas that has served Ford County since 1935. Dodge City Community College, or “D3”accepts all applicants and 42% of students remain until graduation without transferring. D3’s most popular majors include Humanities, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Business. Dodge City alumni average $28,700 in their first position after graduation. Dodge City Community College makes a point to maintain a student-centered environment and to generate support for students to thrive personally, academically, and professionally.
16. Coffeyville Community College
Score: 91.3
Average Net Price: $6,214
Retention Rate: 52%
Graduation Rate: 43%
Salary After Attending: $34,053
Coffeyville Community College ranks at number 14 on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in Kansas. With a student-faculty ratio of 22:1, programs in the liberal arts, humanities, nursing, emergency care, automotive mechanics, and welding are among the most popular fields of study. Programs that train students to become nursing assistants and health aides are in high demand as well. The college has 1,013 full-time undergraduate students and 789 part-time undergraduates. Eight percent of Coffeyville Community College undergraduates are over the age of 25, and freshman students live on campus. According to a recent survey by Niche, 73 percent of students at this school feel that the professors put a lot of effort into their teaching, and 67 percent report that it is easy to get the classes they desire. Every student at Coffeyville Community College receives financial aid.
17. Johnson County Community College
Score: 91.3
Average Net Price: $13,371
Retention Rate: 64%
Graduation Rate: 26%
Salary After Attending: $41,108
Located in Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is third on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in the state of Kansas. Additionally, the school ranks at number 22 out of 871 on Niche’s list of the top community colleges in the country. With no application fee and an acceptance rate of 100 percent, students at Johnson County Community College can choose from a wide range of majors. The most in-demand degrees include those in the liberal arts and humanities, nursing assisting, ground transportation, criminal justice, digital design, interior design, and licensed practical nurse training. There are 5,792 full-time undergraduates and 12,846 part-time undergraduates enrolled at this community college. Three percent of the students are varsity athletes, and 18 percent of undergraduates are over the age of 25. Evening degree programs are offered, and the student-faculty ratio is 20:1. Financial aid is awarded to 60 percent of those enrolled. In a recent Niche survey, 81 percent of students at the school said that they felt the workload was manageable, and 73 percent of students noted that it was easy to get the classes they wanted. Within two years of graduation from this institution, 88 percent of alumni are employed.
18. Highland Community College
Score: 91.0
Average Net Price: $6,435
Retention Rate: 39%
Graduation Rate: 27%
Salary After Attending: $37,847
Founded in 1858, Highland Community College was the first college in the state of Kansas. The school has 1,168 full-time undergraduates and 2,092 part-time undergraduates, and 35 percent of the students are over the age of 25. Financial aid is awarded to 92 percent of applicants, and 62 percent of the school’s students receive Pell grants. Freshman students live in on-campus housing, but the school does not provide daycare services. The nursing assistant program is the institution’s most popular major, and over 240 students are enrolled in this field. Other in-demand subjects include emergency care, education, automotive mechanics, and licensed practical nurse training. Associate’s degrees are available in diverse fields, including graphic design, medical coding, personal fitness training, commercial photography, agribusiness, and accounting. Work-study positions are available, and the college has a career placement center to help students find employment. Over 90 percent of Highland Community College graduates are employed within two years of graduation.
19. Neosho County Community College
Score: 91.0
Average Net Price: $8,100
Retention Rate: 58%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Salary After Attending: $36,255
Neosho County Community College is located in Chanute, Kansas. It is ranked as number six on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in the state, and it ranks 97th on Niche’s list of America’s top community colleges. The student-faculty ratio at the institution is 11:1, and evening degree programs are available. In a recent Niche survey, 87 percent of student respondents felt that the professors put a great deal of effort into their teaching, and 86 percent of respondents also stated that they felt it was easy to get the classes they wanted. In addition, 93 percent of those surveyed stated that the workload at Neosho County Community College was manageable. Financial aid is awarded for 90 percent of students at this school, and 54 percent of the students also receive Pell grants. The nursing assistant program is the most popular degree at Neosho County Community College. Other high-demand programs include the arts and humanities, nursing, licensed practical nursing, welding, health attending, carpentry, and occupational therapy assisting. Programs are available at this college for those who wish to train as medical assistants or HVAC and refrigeration engineering technicians as well. The community college has 788 full-time undergraduates and 1,189 part-time undergraduates, and 20 percent of these students are over the age of 25. Freshman students are required to live in on-campus housing, but the school does not offer daycare services for young children of students at Neosho County Community College. After graduation, 88 percent of alumni have a job within two years.
20. Fort Scott Community College
Score: 90.5
Average Net Price: $4,078
Retention Rate: 55%
Graduation Rate: 27%
Salary After Attending: $35,307
Fort Scott Community College has an acceptance rate of 100 percent, and there is no application fee. SAT and ACT test scores are not required for applicants. Financial aid is awarded to 95 percent of students, and 59 percent of those enrolled also receive Pell grants. The institution has an enrollment of 847 full-time undergraduates and 945 part-time undergraduates. On-campus housing is provided for freshman students. The student-faculty ratio at Fort Scott Community College is 18:1, and the most popular majors at the school are nursing assisting, nursing, the liberal arts and humanities, welding, emergency care attending, health attending, and cosmetology. Programs are also available in environmental engineering, agricultural mechanics and machinery, and motorcycle maintenance and repair. Daycare services are not provided for young children of Fort Scott Community College students, and the school does not offer evening degree programs. 87 percent of graduates are employed within two years of graduating from this community college.
21. Cloud County Community College
Score: 90.0
Average Net Price: $9,977
Retention Rate: 52%
Graduation Rate: 43%
Salary After Attending: $36,083
Located in Concordia, Cloud County Community College is listed at number two on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in Kansas. The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and evening degree programs are offered. The liberal arts and humanities are the most popular majors at the school, and other popular degrees include those in nursing assisting, nursing, mechanics and repair, emergency care attending, and business. Programs are available in air transportation, child care, and agricultural production operations, too. Cloud County Community College has 814 full-time undergraduate students and 1,059 part-time undergraduates. On-campus daycare is provided for children of students at the college, and freshman students live in on-campus housing. Approximately 13 percent of undergraduates at the school are over the age of 25, and 29 percent of enrolled students are varsity athletes. Nearly 90 percent of students receive financial aid, and 45 percent of Cloud County Community College students also receive Pell grants. According to a recent Niche survey, 52 percent of the students rate the college’s athletic facilities as high quality, and 45 percent of those surveyed also rated the institution’s performing arts facilities as high quality.
22. Labette Community College
Score: 89.8
Average Net Price: $6,515
Retention Rate: 52%
Graduation Rate: 19%
Salary After Attending: $37,634
Located in the city of Parsons, Labette Community College has an open admissions policy, and no fee is required for application. Evening degree programs are available, and the institution has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1. There are 655 full-time undergraduates enrolled, and the school also has 1,350 part-time undergraduate students. Nearly 20 percent of undergraduates at the college are over the age of 25, and 18 percent of them are varsity athletes. Financial aid is awarded to 92 percent of Labette Community College students, and 57 percent of the students also receive Pell grants. Healthcare programs tend to be the most popular majors at Labette. The institution’s programs in nursing, licensed practical nurse training, dental assisting, sonography, and respiratory care therapy are in particularly high demand. Training programs for physical therapy technicians, radiologic technicians, and medical secretaries have high enrollment as well. Graphic communications and the liberal arts and humanities are popular choices, too. Within two years of graduation, 88 percent of Labette Community College alumni are employed.
23. Cowley County Community College
Score: 89.5
Average Net Price: $7,597
Retention Rate: 60%
Graduation Rate: 30%
Salary After Attending: $34,729
Located in Arkansas City, Kansas, Cowley County Community College is currently ranked at number 15 on Niche’s list of the best community colleges in the state of Kansas. In terms of national rankings, Niche lists it at number 380 on its list of the top community colleges in America. The school has no application fee, and all applicants are accepted. Financial aid is offered to 85 percent of Cowley County Community College students, and 49 percent of its students receive Pell grants. The college has an enrollment of 1,608 full-time undergraduates and 1,267 part-time undergraduates. 20 percent of the students are varsity athletes, and 22 percent of the school’s undergraduates are over the age of 25. Liberal arts, humanities, nursing assisting, welding, emergency care attending, and health attending are the most popular majors at the institution. Training programs for lab technicians, health aides, instrumentation technicians, and child care providers have high enrollment numbers as well. The student-faculty ratio at Cowley County Community College is 23:1. Evening degree programs are not available. Freshman students live in on-campus housing, but the school does not offer daycare services. In a recent Niche survey, 73 percent of students agreed that the athletic facilities were high quality, and 60 percent of respondents felt that the performing arts facilities were of high quality. Over 80 percent of students reported that it was easy to get the classes they desired, and 74 percent of those who responded felt that their professors put substantial effort into teaching. 86 percent of Cowley County Community College alumni are employed within two years of graduation.
24. Allen County Community College
Score: 88.5
Average Net Price: $7,409
Retention Rate: 58%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Salary After Attending: $35,727
Located in Iola, Kansas, Allen County Community College is a publicly owned college offering 16 majors to its current enrollment of 2,540 students. Allen County accepts any applicant and ensures that they receive the necessary resources to succeed in their chosen profession. Allen County alumni average an entry salary of $25,900 after graduation. With their tuition at $8,579/year, around half of the national average, their 100% acceptance rate, and the average student receiving $4,462 in student aid, ACCC is an accessible and affordable school to better your future.
25. Barton County Community College
Score: 88.5
Average Net Price: $10,003
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 21%
Salary After Attending: $35,932
Barton County Community College is situated in Great Bend Township. The student-faculty ratio at Barton is 20:1, and the school’s most popular majors include the liberal arts and humanities, nursing assisting, and occupational safety and health. Training programs for students aiming to become emergency medical technicians, health aides, and welders are in demand as well, and the school has high enrollment for its programs in clinical nutrition and manufacturing engineering technology, too. Students at Barton County Community College can choose to earn associate’s degrees in general studies, the arts, science, or applied science. Online programs are available in pre-nursing, business administration, mathematics, military studies, and dietary management. The school has 874 full-time undergraduates and 3,354 part-time undergraduates. Approximately 15 percent of undergraduates are over the age of 25, and 41 percent of the students are varsity athletes. Freshman students live in on-campus housing, and the college offers daycare services for young children of Barton students. Financial aid is awarded to 90 percent of students, and 39 percent of applicants also receive Pell grants. The college does not offer evening degree programs, but GED programs and college transfer programs are available.
26. Butler Community College
Score: 87.8
Average Net Price: $13,255
Retention Rate: 60%
Graduation Rate: 23%
Salary After Attending: $37,296
Butler Community College is located in the city of El Dorado, Kansas. The institution has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, and evening degree program options are available. Along with nursing, the liberal arts and humanities are the most popular majors at Butler Community College. Other in-demand programs include education, accounting, health service preparatory studies, business, and psychology. The school offers training for individuals who want to become child care providers or emergency medical technicians, too. Financial aid is awarded to 86 percent of students, and Pell grants are given to 46 percent of undergraduates. This community college has 3,771 full-time undergraduates and 5,057 part-time undergraduates. In terms of age, 15 percent of the undergraduates are over age 25. Freshman students are required to live in on-campus housing, and the school provides daycare services for young children of Butler Community College students. In a recent Niche survey, 55 percent of student respondents rated the athletic facilities as high quality, and 39 percent of the respondents gave high ratings to the dining facilities. After graduating from Butler Community College, 87 percent of alumni are employed within two years.
27. Independence Community College
Score: 86.5
Average Net Price: $6,925
Retention Rate: 39%
Graduation Rate: 25%
Salary After Attending: $35,148
Independence Community College is a publicly funded school in Independence, Kansas and founded in 1925. ICC offers students degrees and certificates in 16 unique fields. They earned a C ranking from Niche.com with an A- in diversity and a B in safety. ICC accepts 100% of applicants and strives to give them the best quality of education possible. Independence serves the interests of its students and community through passionate faculty and the myriad resources made available by their community and involved professors.
28. Donnelly College
Score: 86.5
Average Net Price: $11,975
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 16%
Salary After Attending: $29,427
Located in Kansas City, Kansas, Donnelly College is a Roman Catholic college. This private, four-year institution has an acceptance rate of 100 percent. Financial aid is awarded to 99 percent of students, and 72 percent of the college’s students receive Pell grants. Roughly one-quarter of Donnelly College undergraduates are over the age of 25, and the school has 220 full-time undergraduates and 140 part-time undergraduates. Programs in the liberal arts and humanities are the most popular majors, and the school also has a high demand for its programs in information technology, licensed practical nurse training, and non-profit and public management. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in information systems and business leadership, and the school offers a pre-engineering program, too. Following graduation from Donnelly College, 84 percent of alumni are employed within two years.
Honorable Mention
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is recognized as one of the best universities in Kansas in terms of value for money. It currently ranks at number 13 on Niche’s list of best value colleges in the state, and it is one of the best schools in Kansas for students majoring in accounting and finance. In fact, the university is ranked at 290 out of 687 on Niche’s list of the top schools for accounting and finance in the United States. The university has a 94 percent acceptance rate and SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission. The student-faculty ratio at Wichita State is 20:1, and 88 percent of students receive financial aid. Liberal arts, humanities, nursing, psychology, business, accounting, mechanical engineering, and elementary education are among the most popular majors at the university. The school has an enrollment of 8,749 full-time undergrads and 3,649 part-time undergrads, and 16 percent of undergrads are over the age of 25.
Washburn University
Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public institution that is currently ranked at number nine on Niche’s list of the best colleges in Kansas. Nationally, it is ranked by U.S. News at number 293 to 381 on its list of the top national universities. Boasting an acceptance rate of 100 percent, the institution’s most popular majors include nursing, sonography (ultrasound technician), criminal justice, finance, healthcare management, physical education teaching, communications, and radiation therapy. The liberal arts and humanities are popular degree choices for Washburn University students as well. The university has 3,944 full-time undergraduate students and 1,929 part-time undergraduates. Students can also take advantage of evening degree program options, and the student-faculty ratio is 15:1. Over 90 percent of Washburn University students receive financial aid, and freshman students live in on-campus housing.
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
This institution has 4,267 full-time students and 2,817 part-time students. The student-faculty ratio is 16:1. Students can choose from certificate programs and associate’s degrees covering 11 fields of study. The most popular subject areas include mechanics, engineering, and health professions. Associate’s degrees are offered in business administration, business operations support, clerical services, finance, banking, and carpentry. In the healthcare field, students can earn associate’s degrees in the areas of dental assisting, surgical technology, clinical assisting, and health and medical administrative services. Certificates are available in practical nursing, patient care assisting, and medical insurance coding. With an open admissions policy, the school has no application fee, and admissions officers consider an applicant’s life experiences when evaluating the application. The applied sciences and technology campus has its own library, and remedial services and career counseling are provided for students. The institution also offers employment services and placement services for graduates.
Grantham University
Grantham University is an online university that is classified as “for profit.” With an acceptance rate of 100 percent, 98 percent of students receive financial aid, and 86 percent of students are offered Pell grants. More than 85 percent of the institution’s undergraduates are over the age of 25. Currently, Grantham University has 3,296 full-time undergraduates and 4,520 part-time undergraduates. The student-faculty ratio at the school is 22:1, and 82 percent of the students polled in a recent Niche survey felt that the professors put substantial effort into their classes. Business, criminal justice, liberal arts, humanities, computer science, and medical insurance coding are among the most popular majors at the university. Other in-demand programs include engineering, human resources, computer and information systems security, and information science.
What’s Next?
It’s essential to have a complete understanding of the financial aid options available to you. Here are the three major resources for researching federal and state financial aid options for Kansas:
- The Kansas Board of Regents. The Kansas Board of Regents is a Higher Education Agency and a branch office of the U.S. Department of Education. Some of the most useful information for students on this site includes the Financial Aid FAQ, a list of Kansas Financial Aid Offices, and a page detailing state-wide scholarships and grants.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Student Aid is a branch office of the U.S. Department of Education. Students who are interested in applying for federal financial aid can do so through the FAFSA website. You can also check your eligibility for FAFSA.
- CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and provides students with a single resource to research information about potential careers, training, and jobs. Users can filter their options by state and degree type and look at scholarships and grants within a specific state.
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