Best Colleges in Kansas of 2023

Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas is the state's flagship university and premier research institution. Located in the city of Lawrence, the university's mission is to lift students and society through education, leadership, and research. About 28,500 undergraduate and graduate students attend the university, which has schools of architecture, business, law, engineering, and journalism. The university also has a medical center that houses its medical, nursing, and health professions schools. Over 200 major choices are available to undergraduates and feature interdisciplinary classes and high-tech collaborative spaces in which to learn. Additionally, there are over 600 student-run official organizations on campus, including Aerial Arts, African Drum Ensemble, Jayhawk Cricket Club, First Generation Professionals, and the Jedi Order. The University of Kansas boasts the highest graduation rate of all the schools on this list - both public and private.

Kansas State University was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas when it was established in 1863. It's an R1 level research university, which is the highest research tier attainable. Kansas State is home to more than 90 research centers and institutes, including the Konza Prairie Biological Center, the Chapman Center for Rural Studies, and the Johnson Cancer Research Center. Innovations credited to Kansas State researchers or alumni include the laser that made LASIK eye surgery possible and the N95 mask. Kansas State has nine colleges that house the programs that its 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students study in. These colleges include the College of Agriculture, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, which was one of the first in the nation to award a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Baker University was the first private four-year university in Kansas. Founded in 1858 by the United Methodist Church, today it maintains its religious heritage and has a student body of about 3,000 students. Over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs are offered at the school's main campus in Baldwin City. The school has several innovative dual degree opportunities, such as the Chiropractic 3 + 3 program in which exceptional exercise science students can matriculate to the chiropractic program at Cleveland University-Kansas City after three years of undergraduate study. There is also a 4+1 Bachelors to MBA Dual Degree Program in which select students can earn a bachelor's degree in business and a Master of Business Administration in just five years.

Benedictine College was established in 1971 via a merger of a men's school founded in 1858 - St. Benedict's College - with a women's school founded in 1923 - Mount St. Scholastica College. It's a coeducational Catholic liberal arts school that adheres to its Benedictine heritage of faith and scholarship. The school has 2,000 students, mostly undergraduates as it only offers two graduate degrees (a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in School Leadership). Benedictine College's main campus is located in Atchison, Kansas, but it also has a campus in Villa Morghen, Italy (near Florence), where students can live and study for three months. The first week of the program is spent in Rome, where students meet the Pope in the Wednesday Audience. Tuition is the same for the semester in Italy as it is for on-campus study in Kansas.

A private Catholic school located in the city of Wichita, Newman University was established in 1933 by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, a community of religious women who work for social equality and justice. The university has five schools: Catholic Studies, Arts and Sciences, Business, Healthcare Professions, and Education and Social Work. For those undergraduates who are unsure of what they want to study, the university offers an Exploratory Program in which students can undertake a mix of prerequisites in many disciplines, an experience designed to help them identify skills, strengths, and passions and still graduate with a bachelor's degree in four years. The university follows an innovative Newman Studies curriculum that prepares undergraduates to adapt their skills to professions that do not even exist yet. It does this through university-wide teaching that promotes active learning, critical thinking, connectivity, and interdisciplinary logic.

Bethel College is the oldest Mennonite college in the country. Located in North Newton, Kansas, it was founded in 1887 and today has a student body of 500. Bethel College has a progressive Christian focus but welcomes students of all faith backgrounds. The curriculum is values-based and strives to promote holistic wellness, peace, and global consciousness. Forty-three undergraduate programs are offered at the school, including a minor in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, which was one of the first of its kind in the world when it was established in 1972. A peacebuilding institute called the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution is located on campus. Bethel College boasts a low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is the number one private college in the state in terms of the number of its graduates who ultimately go on to earn a PhD.

Hands-on learning is a trademark of McPherson College, a small private liberal arts institution in McPherson, Kansas. All seniors must complete a capstone project that showcases what they've learned at the college via a thesis, presentation, exhibit, or performance. Forty undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs are offered, including Art and Design, Theatre, and Sport Science. The school's Bachelor of Science in Auto Restoration program is the only one of its kind in the nation, and entertainer Jay Leno has served on its advisory board since 1998. Every year, students in the auto restoration program host a large car and motoring show on campus that draws car enthusiasts from around the world. McPherson College was founded in 1887 by the Church of the Brethren and has a student body of 800 undergraduates. All students at McPherson College receive some type of financial assistance.

Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private Christian institution founded in Salina in 1886. The school has 860 students, mostly undergraduates; the only graduate degree offered is a Master of Business Administration. Class sizes are small, with the average having 13 students or fewer. There are 13 undergraduate major choices at Kansas Wesleyan, including Music Performance, Exercise Science, and Biomedical Chemistry. The school's Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management program is the only one of its kind in the state and offers discounted tuition for EMTs, veterans, active-duty service members, and law enforcement personnel. Kansas Wesleyan strives to make its degree programs career-relevant and 98% of graduates find employment soon after graduation.

Pittsburg State University is a medium-sized public school in Pittsburg, Kansas, that was started as a teacher training institution in 1903. Today, it offers 300 undergraduate and graduate programs across academic disciplines, including a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Wellness, and a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. The school stands out for its unique Flat-Rate Tuition program that allows full-time undergraduate students and graduate students from all states to pay a single tuition rate, regardless of the number of total credits taken. This makes it easier for students to graduate early and less expensive to earn a double major or extra minor. Additionally, 80% of Pittsburg State students receive some type of financial assistance.

A small Christian school, Sterling College stands out for having the most selective admissions rate of all the private schools on this list. The college is located in Sterling, Kansas, and was founded in 1887 by the United Presbyterian Church. Today, member's of the college's board, faculty, administration, and staff all profess an active Christian faith. The college offers more than 20 undergraduate degree programs in areas like Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Theatre Arts, and Business. Spiritual life opportunities for Sterling students include twice-weekly chapel services, a student-led worship team, a vibrant worship arts program, bible study groups, and community service opportunities. The school also has an annual day of service called Love Sterling where students, staff, and faculty go into the community to volunteer. Students who participate receive two chapel credits.