2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Kansas
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Kansas. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $26,151. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Scott Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $27,303. Set against $9,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Coffeyville Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $28,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,000. Liberal Arts 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.
Allen County Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Students borrow a median of $8,596 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Allen County Community College earn a median of $25,323 early in their careers. Set against $8,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $25,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Independence Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. 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 liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,400 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pratt Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $61,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Colby Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Colby Community College generally make around $23,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Labette Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Labette Community College is a small public school located in the town of Parsons. Students from in state pay about $4,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,864 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Labette Community College generally make around $22,095. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Cloud County Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Cloud County Community College earn a median of $21,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $25,863. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,592 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,495 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Highland Community College Highland earn a median of $22,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Washburn University landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $39,468 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnson County Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,855. Set against $9,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,694. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $30,331. That is a strong return on a $24,694 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Christian College Of Kansas landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. Set against $23,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $35,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Donnelly College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,810. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,626 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Donnelly College earn a median of $49,147 early in their careers. Set against $27,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $42,527. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $26,492 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $38,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
