2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kansas
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Kansas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Kansas. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $26,151. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,638 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $27,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,638 median debt.
Coffeyville Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Haskell Indian Nations University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $24,914 early in their careers. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Dodge City Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Allen County Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,260, while out-of-state students pay about $4,860. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,596 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $25,966 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Independence Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Independence Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Independence. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Independence Community College generally make around $23,620. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,704. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $27,437. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garden City Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,400. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $26,110. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pratt Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Pratt Community College is a small public school located in the town of Pratt. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $61,703. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Colby Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $5,830. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,095. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Cloud County Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Concordia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cloud County Community College generally make around $21,686. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $25,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,592. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,649 early in their careers. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washburn University placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $39,468. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
Johnson County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,700. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $29,855. That is a strong return on a $9,700 median debt.
Highland Community College Highland landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,495. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Wichita State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,694 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $30,331 early in their careers. Set against $24,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Central Christian College Of Kansas earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,996 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,482. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kansas City Kansas Community College generally make around $35,955. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Donnelly College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Donnelly College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,810. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,626. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Donnelly College earn a median of $49,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,626 median debt.
University Of Kansas earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $42,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
