2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kansas
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Kansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in Kansas. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,000. General Studies graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haskell Indian Nations University earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Independence Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Garden City Community College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,110. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,694 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $30,331. Set against $24,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central Christian College Of Kansas came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $49,979. Set against $23,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Kansas placed #9 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $42,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,492 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $38,423 early in their careers. Set against $26,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,500. General Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Hesston College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Hesston, Hesston College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,936. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $68,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Friends University landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $34,192 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,734. Set against $31,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
