2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Kansas
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Hutchinson Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Kansas. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,151. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Fort Scott Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,638 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $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 general studies. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $28,357 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Haskell Indian Nations University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Dodge City Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Allen County Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Iola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,260, while out-of-state students pay about $4,860. Students borrow a median of $8,596 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,323. That is a strong return on a $8,596 median debt.
Cowley County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,966. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
Neosho County Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,400. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,110. That is a strong return on a $8,400 median debt.
Pratt Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pratt Community College earn a median of $61,703 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,864. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,095. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cloud County Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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 #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,863. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Fort Hays State University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,592. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,649. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $29,855. Set against $9,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Highland placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $30,331. That is a strong return on a $24,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central Christian College Of Kansas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,938. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Kansas City Kansas Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,996, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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 earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,810 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,626. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $49,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
