2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Kansas
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
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2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Fort Hays State University earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Kansas. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,967. Economics graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $50,690 early in their careers. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $45,420. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $52,490. That is a strong return on a $20,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
