2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in Kansas
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in Kansas? We have ranked 77 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 17 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Kansas
Explore the best-value schools below:
Fort Hays State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Teaching degree schools in Kansas. Fort Hays State University is a public school based in Hays, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $25,967. Median earnings reach $48,928 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Fort Hays State University
You'll get strong value at Emporia State University, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. The median Teaching program debt is $23,131. Median earnings reach $47,601 ten years out. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%. Read more about Emporia State University
Out of the 17 schools in Kansas in this year's value ranking, Wichita State University landed the #3 spot. Based in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete their Teaching program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,532. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. See the full Wichita State University profile
Pittsburg State University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Teaching ranking in Kansas. Set in Pittsburg, KS, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Pittsburg State University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place in Kansas. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. The median Teaching program debt is $23,546. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,262 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. More on Kansas State University
University Of Kansas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. The median Teaching program debt is $23,608. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Washburn University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Set in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical Teaching student debt is $21,175. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,774 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt. Get the full Washburn University report
Newman University landed the #8 spot for value in Kansas this year. Newman University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wichita, KS. Students from in state pay about $35,500 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,562. Median earnings reach $55,041 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,562 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Newman University
Baker University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Baker University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baldwin City, KS. Students from in state pay about $35,200 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $29,554. Baker University alumni report median earnings of $63,855 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. See the full Baker University profile
Friends University landed the #10 spot for value in Kansas this year. Located in Wichita, KS, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Graduates carry a median of $29,721 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,113 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Friends University
University Of Saint Mary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Leavenworth, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,380. Students borrow a median of $27,810 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Saint Mary
Ottawa University Kansas City landed the #12 spot for value in Kansas this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $13,296. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Median earnings reach $55,552 ten years out. Set against $30,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Ottawa University Kansas City
Midamerica Nazarene University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Olathe, KS. Students from in state pay about $37,174 in tuition and fees. Midamerica Nazarene University Teaching students take on a median of $25,740 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,972. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. About 79% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Midamerica Nazarene University
Southwestern College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. The median Teaching program debt is $26,874. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,646. Set against $26,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants. Read more about Southwestern College
Benedictine College placed #15 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Set in Atchison, KS, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,350. The median Teaching program debt is $24,990. Median earnings reach $53,175 ten years out. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants. Get the full Benedictine College report
Sterling College Kansas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Sterling, KS, Sterling College Kansas is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,700 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,846. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Sterling College Kansas admits about 48% of applicants. Read more about Sterling College Kansas
Ottawa University Ottawa placed #17 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit school based in Ottawa, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Ottawa University Ottawa Teaching students take on a median of $30,416 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,552. Set against $30,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Ottawa University Ottawa profile
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #18 spot for value in Kansas this year. Read more about Northwest Kansas Technical College
Cleveland Chiropractic College placed #19 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read more about Cleveland Chiropractic College
Z Hair Academy
Z Hair Academy placed #20 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read more about Z Hair Academy
Wellspring School Of Allied Health Lawrence came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Wellspring School Of Allied Health Lawrence report
Kansas Wesleyan University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Kansas Wesleyan University report
Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. See the full Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park profile
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Barton County Community College landed the #25 spot for value in Kansas this year. Get the full Barton County Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in Kansas
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Heartland Welding Academy placed #26 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read more about Heartland Welding Academy
Manhattan Area Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full Manhattan Area Technical College profile
Bethel College North Newton placed #28 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. More on Bethel College North Newton
Paul Mitchell The School Wichita ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Paul Mitchell The School Wichita
Mcpherson College placed #30 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read the full report on Mcpherson College
Cowley County Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cowley County Community College report
Bethany College Kansas placed #32 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read the full report on Bethany College Kansas
Kansas Health Science University landed the #33 spot for value in Kansas this year. See the full Kansas Health Science University profile
Hesston College
Hesston College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Hesston College
Neosho County Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Neosho County Community College
Saint Paul School Of Theology landed the #36 spot for value in Kansas this year. Read the full report on Saint Paul School Of Theology
Colby Community College placed #37 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. See the full Colby Community College profile
Bellus Academy
Bellus Academy came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Bellus Academy
Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #39 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. See the full Kansas City Kansas Community College profile
Sami Halaseh Institute placed #40 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Read the full report on Sami Halaseh Institute
Coffeyville Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Coffeyville Community College
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Haskell Indian Nations University report
Crave Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Crave Beauty Academy
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays landed the #44 spot for value in Kansas this year. Read more about Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays
Wichita Technical Institute ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Wichita Technical Institute
Allen County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Allen County Community College
Ottawa University Online came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Ottawa University Online
Fort Scott Community College landed the #48 spot for value in Kansas this year. More on Fort Scott Community College
Butler Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Butler Community College
Old Town Barber College Wichita placed #50 among the best-value Teaching schools in Kansas. Get the full Old Town Barber College Wichita report
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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