Kansas community colleges claim 15 of the 20 most affordable degree programs across all majors, with annual costs averaging just $3,200 for in-state students. Dodge City Community College leads with the lowest tuition at $2,880 per year, while Kansas State University offers the best value among four-year institutions at $10,890 annually. The state's agricultural economy creates strong demand for graduates in veterinary technology, where Garden City Community College produces technicians earning $35,000 starting salaries at local cattle operations and veterinary clinics. Kansas also benefits from aerospace manufacturing partnerships, with Wichita State University connecting students to Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems through affordable engineering programs. Oil and gas exploration in western Kansas provides additional career pathways for geology and petroleum engineering graduates. The combination of low living costs and targeted industry connections makes Kansas particularly attractive for students seeking career-focused education without significant debt. State funding initiatives keep community college costs stable, while university programs maintain competitive pricing through efficient operations and strong state support.
Programs in Kansas
| Program | Most Affordable School | Net Price |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Biology, General | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Haskell Indian Nations University | $3,031 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Business/Commerce, General | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Chemistry | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Newman University | $19,045 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Communication and Media Studies | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Computer Science | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Criminology | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Design and Applied Arts | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Economics | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Education, General | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| English Language and Literature, General | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Geography and Cartography | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| History | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Information Science/Studies | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| International Business | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| International/Global Studies | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Journalism | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | Fort Hays State University | $13,493 |
| Marketing | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Mathematics | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | Kansas Christian College | $15,686 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Music | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Haskell Indian Nations University | $3,031 |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Philosophy | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Physics | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Political Science and Government | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Psychology, General | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Sterling College | $22,403 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Security Science and Technology | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Social Sciences, General | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Social Work | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Sociology | Washburn University | $13,046 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Haskell Indian Nations University | $3,031 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Theology and Religious Vocations, Other | Central Christian College of Kansas | $12,473 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Wichita State University | $13,776 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Kansas community colleges so affordable compared to other states?
Kansas community colleges receive substantial state funding that keeps tuition low, with average annual costs of $3,200. The state also caps tuition increases and provides additional support for rural districts, allowing schools like Dodge City Community College to offer programs at just $2,880 per year.
How do four-year university costs in Kansas compare nationally?
Kansas State University charges $10,890 annually for in-state students, approximately 35% below the national average for public universities. The University of Kansas follows at $11,148, while smaller regional universities like Emporia State offer programs starting at $6,298 per year.
Is financial aid readily available for Kansas college students?
Kansas provides need-based aid through the Kansas Full Grant, awarding up to $3,500 annually to qualifying students. Merit scholarships are also available, with Kansas State offering automatic awards ranging from $2,000 to $14,000 based on test scores and GPA.
Does Kansas offer specialized affordable programs for high-demand careers?
Kansas excels in agriculture and aviation programs, with Kansas State's agriculture program costing $10,890 annually and leading to jobs averaging $45,000 in the state's $19 billion agricultural sector. Wichita State's aerospace engineering connects directly to local Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems facilities.
Where can students find the lowest-cost degree programs across all majors?
Community colleges dominate affordable options, with Dodge City at $2,880, Garden City at $3,100, and Johnson County at $3,200 annually. For bachelor's degrees, Fort Hays State University offers programs starting at $5,472, making it one of the most affordable four-year options.
Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships. See our methodology.