Best Colleges in Kansas

Kansas State University started as Bluemont Central College in 1858. The public land-grant institution became Kansas State Agricultural College in 1863 and later adopted its current moniker. The university operates a main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, the Olathe campus in the Kansas Bioscience Park, a polytechnic campus in Salina, and a global online campus.

K-State offers its 25,000 students more than 240 majors and program options, including 70 online programs. Students unsure of their major can benefit from an open option program. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, concurrent bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, and non-degree certificates. Many programs provide training in agricultural areas of study.

To guarantee admission, Kansas students must complete the state’s pre-college curriculum with a 2.0 GPA (2.5 for non-residents) and earn an ACT score of 21, SAT score of 1060, or rank in the top third of their class. Some programs are more selective. Transfer students must submit 24 transferable hours with a 2.0 GPA. Online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency. The university holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Located west of Kansas City in Lawrence, Kansas, the University of Kansas opened in 1866. The university now encompasses five campuses and a student enrollment of 28,500. Learners can choose from more than 200 undergraduate areas of study and 400 degree and certificate programs.

KU’s 13 schools and colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of architecture, business, education, health professions, music, and nursing. Each school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. KU also offers undergraduate bachelor’s completion programs online.

Freshman applicants qualify for assured admission into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with an ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 1060, as well as a GPA of 3.25 or the alternative requirements. Transfer students must possess a 2.5 GPA for 24 or more transferable credits from an accredited institution. Tuition rates vary by program. In-state and out-of-state online learners pay the same rates. KU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Newman University began as a Catholic school that trained women for professions such as teaching and nursing. The school became co-educational in 1965 and adopted its current name in 1998. Located in Wichita, Kansas, Newman now enrolls more than 3,300 students and provides four outreach locations throughout the state.

Newman’s five schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees and licensure programs. The School of Arts and Sciences offers 20 liberal arts majors, 21 minors, and 24 specializations. The business school provides nine majors, including marketing and strategic intelligence, and an MBA with four possible concentrations. NU’s Catholic studies school offers degrees in theology and pastoral studies. In keeping with the school’s long tradition of training teachers and nurses, NU offers degree and licensure programs in education, social work, and nursing.

Newman offers an online application and a flat tuition rate for those taking 12-19 credits. The university holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Founded in 1922 as a chiropractic college, Cleveland University-Kansas City gained university status in 2015. Located in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, the school offers a 10-trimester doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree. Students can also pursue related health sciences degrees and certifications in health education, human biology, occupational therapy, and radiologic technology.

For students entering an allied health career, CUKC offers an 18-month associate in biological sciences that includes pre-allied health coursework. AAS degree options include occupational therapy assistant or radiologic technologist. Cleveland’s BS in human biology offers a 3-year accelerated option. Students can also pursue an online master’s in health education and promotion.

Admission requirements vary by program, but all applicants must apply online. Doctoral applicants must meet physical requirements and undergraduate course requirements. Tuition varies by degree level. CUKC holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education.

Pittsburg State University sits two hours south of Kansas City in southeastern Kansas. Founded in 1903 to train technical education teachers, this public university’s four colleges now offer more than 200 academic programs to nearly 7,000 students.

PSU’s College of Arts and Sciences places a particular emphasis on research and offers an undergraduate research program. PSU’s accredited business school offers seven undergraduate programs and four MBAs, which students may take on campus or online. The school of education offers degrees in health, human performance, and recreation, as well as psychology, counseling, and teaching. The PSU College of Technology prepares graduates for careers in industry.

PSU offers an online application and grants automatic admission to freshmen who complete the Kansas pre-collegiate curriculum. Applicants should also have a 2.0 and submit an ACT score of 21, obtain a SAT score of 1060, or rank in the top third of their class. Residents of nearby states may qualify for reduced tuition, and all online students pay the in-state rate. PSU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in central Kansas, Fort Hays State University was founded in 1902 in the Fort Hays infirmary and now occupies a 200-acre campus in Hays. The school serves more than 15,000 students, including 4,500 on campus, 7,000 online, and 4,000 enrolled in a partnership program with a Chinese university.

The university’s five colleges offer hundreds of programs, including nearly 200 online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates, as well as a doctorate in nursing. Pre-professional programs prepare students for graduate study in health professions (such as dentistry, medicine, and optometry) and other professions (such as theology and public administration). The school of education offers varied paths to licensure, including a transition-to-teaching program for professionals in other fields.

Freshmen applicants must complete the state-qualified admissions curriculum with a 2.0 GPA and earn an ACT score of 21 or an SAT score of 980 -- or rank in the top third of their graduating class. Kansas residents and those from nearby states qualify for the lowest tuition rates. FHSU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Established in 1863 as a school to train teachers, Kansas State Normal School became Emporia State University in 1977. Today, Emporia offers more than 65 majors, minors, and areas of concentration through its main campus, online programs, and satellite and community college campuses around the state.

The university features a business school, college of liberal arts and sciences, school of library and information management, and teachers college. Undergraduate majors include business analytics, crime and delinquency studies, and recreation. Pre-professional programs prepare learners for graduate work in engineering, law, and medicine. Additionally, master's programs prepare graduates for careers as counselors, educators, and librarians.

Freshman applicants may self-report coursework, class rank, and ACT scores. All transfer students with 24 or more transferable credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA qualify for admission. Emporia offers flat-rate tuition. The university holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, MidAmerica Nazarene University is a liberal arts school founded in 1968. Located southwest of Kansas City in Olathe, MNU offers more than 35 undergraduate programs and 15 graduate and professional programs to more than 2,000 students. MNU also provides about 20 online degree and certificate programs, including six nursing programs.

Traditional undergraduates may select from over 35 majors and minors, including 14 pre-professional programs in health sciences. Students can prepare for graduate study that leads to credentialing as a chiropractor, dentist, doctor, or pharmacist. MNU also offers seven degree-completion programs in business, education, and nursing, as well as master’s degrees in business, counseling, education, and nursing.

Incoming freshmen should complete the online application, submit test results, and send official high school transcripts. Transfer students complete a free application and submit college transcripts. MNU holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Chartered in 1858, Baker University is rooted in the tradition of the United Methodist Church. The university’s four schools now serve more than 3,000 students online and at seven campuses throughout Kansas and Missouri. Baker's residential main campus sits in Baldwin City, just southwest of Kansas City.

Baker’s notable offerings include accelerated 3 + 3 chiropractic and 3 + 2 engineering programs, as well as minors in conflict management, leadership studies, and museum studies. Baker offers six online undergraduate degrees in fields of business, criminal justice, and psychology. Online master’s degree offerings include instructional design, education, organizational leadership, business, sports management, and nursing. Baker also offers a doctorate in instructional design and graduate business certificates online.

Baker’s rolling admissions process requires completion of an online application and submission of test scores and official transcripts. The school promotes student enrichment through service learning, study abroad programs, and 3-week interterm experiences. Baker University holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Set on 330 acres overlooking Wichita, Wichita State University offers more than 200 degree programs, 40 online programs, 30 graduate certificates, and 20 undergraduate certificates. Online students pay the same tuition rate as on-campus residents, regardless of their residency status.

In addition to liberal arts and science degrees, WSU offers a variety of career-focused degrees. Learners in the applied studies track can prepare for careers in education, sport management, or workforce leadership. The engineering school offers 19 majors, including aerospace engineering and engineering technology. Fine arts students may select from plentiful program offerings, including photo media, dance, and music theatre. WSU students may also study for careers in the health professions or business.

Kansas residents with an ACT score of at least 21 or an SAT score of at least 1080 qualify for admission. Admission may also be granted to students who rank in the top third of their class, complete the state qualified admissions curriculum, and possess at least a 2.0 GPA. Wichita State holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.