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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Kansas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Central Christian College of Kansas stands out dramatically in the Liberal Arts and Sciences market with a net price of just $12,473, making it nearly $5,000 cheaper than any other option in the state. This creates an unusual pricing structure where private institutions compete directly with public universities for affordability. The 19 programs span from $12,473 to $29,520, with public universities like Washburn and Fort Hays offering particularly strong value propositions. Kansas graduates in these fields earn between $29,685 and $38,289 annually, positioning them well for the state's growing sectors including aerospace manufacturing and agricultural technology. Major employers like Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation increasingly seek graduates with strong analytical and communication skills that Liberal Arts programs provide. The Kansas Promise Act further reduces costs by covering community college tuition for qualifying programs, creating multiple pathways into four-year degrees.
19
Programs
$12,473 – $29,520
Net Price Range
$33,540
Avg. Program Earnings
49.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
2 $13,046 $9,578 52.6%
3 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
4 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
5 $15,702 $7,356 54.3% 95.7%
6 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
7 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
8 $18,889 $8,008 57.6% 86.2%
9 $19,045 $35,500 53.8% 51.0%
10 $19,868 $35,050 32.9% 52.7%
11 $22,500 $33,900 59.4% 91.8%
12 $23,335 $33,890 44.1% 81.9%
13 $23,369 $33,470 38.5% 69.6%
14 $23,608 $18,424 54.8% 48.0%
15 $25,752 $32,748 61.5% 63.3%
16 $27,310 $38,480 33.5% 70.2%
17 $27,477 $34,800 65.1% 98.8%
18 $29,203 $31,946 28.7% 66.0%
19 $29,520 $36,120 46.2% 66.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Central Christian College of Kansas so affordable compared to other private schools?

Central Christian College offers the lowest net price at $12,473 despite being a private nonprofit institution. This puts it nearly $7,000 below other private options like Newman University at $19,045. The school achieves this through substantial financial aid packages, though graduates should note the 23% graduation rate compared to higher rates at public alternatives.

How do public university costs compare to private options for Liberal Arts programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable end with Fort Hays State at $13,493 net price and in-state tuition of just $5,633. Kansas State and University of Kansas offer strong graduation rates of 70.5% and 68.8% respectively at net prices under $18,000. Private schools like Baker University cost $22,500 but provide smaller class sizes and more personalized attention.

Where do Liberal Arts graduates typically find employment in Kansas?

Graduates earn $29,685 to $38,289 annually, with University of Kansas graduates commanding the highest salaries at $38,289. Many find opportunities in Kansas aerospace companies, agricultural businesses, and state government positions. The analytical and communication skills from Liberal Arts programs align well with management trainee positions at companies like Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation.

Does graduation rate vary significantly between affordable and expensive programs?

Graduation rates show interesting patterns unrelated to cost. University of Kansas achieves 68.8% graduation rates at a moderate $17,365 net price, while Central Christian's low $12,473 cost comes with only 23% graduation rates. Fort Hays State delivers solid 47.8% graduation rates at just $13,493, making it an excellent value proposition for budget-conscious students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.