2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kansas
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Hutchinson Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in Kansas. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,889 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $60,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Students borrow a median of $23,832 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $55,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Coffeyville Community College, which ranked #4. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $62,328 early in their careers. Set against $17,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,175. Early-career nursing graduates make about $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Labette Community College earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,150. Nursing graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $66,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College placed #8 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,877 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $61,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,680. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,370. Set against $20,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $61,593 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Highland placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $98,985 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cloud County Community College came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Concordia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,268 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Cloud County Community College generally make around $61,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,726. Early-career nursing graduates make about $82,486. That is a strong return on a $24,726 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Manhattan Area Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,844. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Manhattan Area Technical College generally make around $59,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $78,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Barton County Community College landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,183. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt.
Johnson County Community College came in at #19 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,914. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $64,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Donnelly College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,810. Students borrow a median of $27,626 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Donnelly College generally make around $49,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $105,103. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,440. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $60,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,444. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $63,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler Community College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $63,244 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Kansas Technical College placed #25 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,928.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
