2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Kansas
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Highland Community College Highland, our #1 best value for general education in Kansas. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. General Education graduates of Highland Community College Highland earn a median of $22,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $50,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. General Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Tabor College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Baker University one of the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Baker University earn a median of $54,404 early in their careers. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker University admits about 94% of applicants.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
