In this ranking, we examine top value universities and colleges in Kansas. You may also want to check out our ranking of the best value online colleges in Kansas.
Even a cursory glance at the colleges and universities in Kansas will convince any researcher that schools in this state pretty closely reflect the values and interests of local students – as they should! As a squarely Midwestern state, Kansas is friendly, low-key, religious, and largely suburban/rural. In keeping with this tune, many of the universities available in-state are private religious colleges, affordable state schools, and career-focused institutions (including universities with degrees in agriculture and farming technology). That being said, students with an urban pulse can find their beat in larger cities like Wichita. And in support of its original residents, Kansas proudly hosts the Haskell Indian Nations University, a favorite of local American Indian tribes.
But how do you know which Kansas colleges are the best? Well, we can't speak for everyone, but we do know that many aspiring university students share a similar complaint: how do I find a top-notch school for academics and extracurricular resources that won't break the bank (and have me tightening my belt a notch as I attempt to subsist on Raman noodles)? Enter our "best value" ranking, a list that – as the methodology below illustrates – scores universities based on their performance in areas of both affordability and student satisfaction.
Methodology: Best Value Universities and Colleges in Kansas
Graduation Rate: This indicator refers to the percentage of students who complete their degree within 150% of normal time (six years for a typical four-year degree program). Schools that perform well in this area have a track record of keeping students engaged and successful for their entire time on campus. We weighted this category 30% of the total and retrieved the information from College Navigator.
Net Price: In order to make sure that cost was still a factor in the ranking, we also considered overall net price as an indicator. Taken from data on College Navigator, "net price" is an approximate value that refers to the average amount of money a student could expect to pay each year after taking into account tuition, room and board, living expenses, scholarship awards, and financial aid packages. We weighted this category 25% of the total.
Acceptance Rate: Academically challenging, popular universities tend to be more selective and thus have a lower acceptance rate. In order to pinpoint those colleges that boast rigorous academics and also receive a large number of applications, we considered acceptance rate – the percentage of students out of the total number of applicants who receive an acceptance letter. We retrieved this information from College Navigator and weighted it 30% of the total.
20-Year Net Return on Investment: Taken from information on the website PayScale, this statistic provides a picture of how much students can expect to make after they graduate from a particular college. More specifically, the figure is calculated by taking the average income an alumnus will make over his or her first 20 years after graduation and subtracting the amount paid in tuition. Schools with a high ROI tend to be better at preparing their students for the job market. We weighted this category only 15% because data was not available for all colleges considered.
After adding all the points, we gave each university a final score out of 200. The schools below have scores ranging from 96 to 146, and each has something different to offer in terms of its cost, quality, and reputation. No one college is perfect (which is why the scores vary so much) but this ranking offers you a premier selection of universities to help get you started on your search for an education in Kansas.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Sources:
College Navigator
Pay Scale
This concludes our ranking of best value Kansas colleges and universities.
About the Author:
Iris Stone began her writing career as a freelance writer and researcher. She now owns and operates a writing and editing firm that works with clients all across the country. Her work has included articles related to education policy, colleges and universities, academic programs, and careers.
