Top 10 Universities In Kansas That Will Surprise You!

Affectionately known as the Sunflower State and home to the invention of the dial telephone and the patent helicopter, Kansas is dotted with beaming sunflowers, fields of prairie grass, and exquisite caves and rock formations.

According to some significant reports, we have curated a list of top universities in Kansas that are the perfect choice for resident and non-resident students looking to follow up on their education in the state.

Best Kansas Universities That are Producing Future Leaders

Ottawa University 

Ottawa University

The institute was originally established in 1865 to be a boarding school for the children of the Ottawa Indian Tribe between the ages of six to eighteen.

Fighting through economic and natural hurdles, the university finally welcomed its first adult students to its Kansas City campus in 1974.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$53,554
   In-State Tuition$33,380
   Other Fees$3,400
   Room and Board$11,934
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,640
   Books and Supplies$1,200
Non-Resident Total Budget$53,554
   Out-of-State Tuition$33,380
   Other Fees$3,400
   Room and Board$11,934
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,640
   Books and Supplies$1,200

Currently, the university offers multiple doctorates, certificates, and endorsement degrees alongside online programs.

Students must fill out the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal or state funding as financial aid. The university has multiple athletic teams, including lacrosse and esports. 

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Kansas Wesleyan University

Kansas Wesleyan University

With the need to form a new college, the NKCMEC raised funds, and in the year 1885, the first building of Kansas Wesleyan University was constructed.

From having only two students to inaugurating a Nursing Education Centre worth $5 million, the KWU has come a long way.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$44,840
   In-State Tuition$31,020
   Other Fees$320
   Room and Board$10,300
   On-Campus Other Budget$2,000
   Books and Supplies$1,200
Non-Resident Total Budget$44,840
   Out-of-State Tuition$31,020
   Other Fees$320
   Room and Board$10,300
   On-Campus Other Budget$2,000
   Books and Supplies$1,200

In addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees, the university offers pre-professional programs, undeclared majors, and fully online courses.

Even though KWU is cheaper than most universities in Kansas, they still provide financial aid based on need or merit. The institution has around 15 athletic teams for men and women.

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Baker University 

Baker University

Holding the status of the first four-year university in Kansas, Baker University was established on February 12, 1858.

After many years of development, graduate and professional studies were finally added in 1988.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$47,420
   In-State Tuition$31,000
   Other Fees$700
   Room and Board$9,330
   On-Campus Other Budget$5,190
   Books and Supplies$1,200
Non-Resident Total Budget$47,420
   Out-of-State Tuition$31,000
   Other Fees$700
   Room and Board$9,330
   On-Campus Other Budget$5,190
   Books and Supplies$1,200

Aside from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and certificates in over 50 programs, the college also offers online and a hybrid form of classes functioning at multiple places.

Various scholarships, campus work, state and federal grants, and loans are provided, which require repayment after graduation. The university competes at NAIA Division I.

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Washburn University 

Washburn University

Initially founded as a private congregational school named Lincoln College, the institution was established on February 6, 1865.

The institution was renamed Washburn College in 1868 after Ichabod Washburn was a well-known businessman.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$23,017
   In-State Tuition$8,762
   Other Fees$110
   Room and Board$9,838
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,314
   Books and Supplies$993
Non-Resident Total Budget$34,021
   Out-of-State Tuition$19,766
   Other Fees$110
   Room and Board$9,838
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,314
   Books and Supplies$993

The university now offers almost 200 programs and certificates to its students. Washburn University awards more than $53 million in federal, state, and other forms of financial aid.

The university is a Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association member with 16 athletic teams competing in NCAA Division II events. 

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Pittsburg State University 

Pittsburg State University

The institution’s foundation started as the Auxiliary Manual Training Normal School in 1903. In 1913, the institution was given college status and elevated to university in 1977.

Pittsburg State University offers over 200 academic programs as a fully accredited state university.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$21,054
   In-State Tuition$5,836
   Other Fees$1,908
   Room and Board$8,196
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,114
   Books and Supplies$1,000
Non-Resident Total Budget$32,398
   Out-of-State Tuition$17,180
   Other Fees$1,908
   Room and Board$8,196
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,114
   Books and Supplies$1,000

The institution also has over 50 online degrees and certificates ranging from specialist degrees.

Their financial programs contain parent loans (PLUS), scholarships, and athletic scholarships. PSU has quite successful athletic teams that compete at NCAA Division II.

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Fort Hays State University 

Fort Hays State University

The institution began as the location for summer courses in 1902, at the desolate army infirmary at Fort Hays.

From being a teacher training school to receiving university status in 1977, FHSU has come a long way.

FHSU claims to have 50% lower tuition fees than the national average and provides over 200 courses spanning traditional on-campus, associates, and online programs.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$19,364
   In-State Tuition$4,140
   Other Fees$1,290
   Room and Board$8,414
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,520
   Books and Supplies$1,000
Non-Resident Total Budget$29,804
   Out-of-State Tuition$14,580
   Other Fees$1,290
   Room and Board$8,414
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,520
   Books and Supplies$1,000

The university has awarded over $59 million in scholarships, employment funding, and other financial aid forms.

Fort Hays’s impressive athletes address themselves as the FHSU Tigers. They have 16 Division II programs and athletic teams with eight national championships.  

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Emporia State University 

Emporia State University

Due to an act, the university was chartered as the Kansas State Normal School in March of 1863. With the university’s growth and advancement, it was finally named Emporia State University in 1977.

Emporia State University was recognized as a College of Distinction public university in Kansas.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$21,413
   In-State Tuition$5,278
   Other Fees$1,723
   Room and Board$9,534
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,878
   Books and Supplies$1,000
Non-Resident Total Budget$29,330
   Out-of-State Tuition$13,195
   Other Fees$1,723
   Room and Board$9,534
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,878
   Books and Supplies$1,000

They offer academic programs in business, liberal arts, science, information management, and teachers’ training.

Online and abroad programs are also available. Financial aid is available to students that clear out the FAFSA forms. Disc golf, tennis, soccer, and cross country are some sports offered.

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Newman University

Newman University

St. John’s Institute was the first official name of the university. The ASC established it as a girl boarding school in 1902.

A boy’s school was added in 1903. This first introductory building eventually grew into the very heart of the present-day university. In July 1998, after major growth in programs and enrollment, they received university status.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$48,266
   In-State Tuition$32,400
   Other Fees$2,060
   Room and Board$9,644
   On-Campus Other Budget$2,880
   Books and Supplies$1,282
Non-Resident Total Budget$48,266
   Out-of-State Tuition$32,400
   Other Fees$2,060
   Room and Board$9,644
   On-Campus Other Budget$2,880
   Books and Supplies$1,282

With the availability of 5 colleges, the university offers associate, professional, and certificate degrees.

The Newman Jets athletic team provides sports such as triathlon, bowling, and more. 

Kansas State University 

Kansas State University

Initially founded on the discontinued grounds of the Bluemont Central College, Kansas State University was established in 1863.

It moved to its permanent location in 1875 and is one of the primitive land grant universities.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$25,730
   In-State Tuition$9,489
   Other Fees$931
   Room and Board$10,100
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,204
   Books and Supplies$1,006
Non-Resident Total Budget$41,801
   Out-of-State Tuition$25,560
   Other Fees$931
   Room and Board$10,100
   On-Campus Other Budget$4,204
   Books and Supplies$1,006

Presently it consists of two campuses, multiple colleges, and research centers. They offer multiple online and on-campus undergraduate, graduate, online degree, and noncredit programs.

The athletic teams address themselves as Kansas State University Wildcats and compete in NCAA Division I. 

University of Kansas 

The University Of Kansas

Established on September 12, 1866, the university is one of the oldest co-educational public institutions in the country.

Located in Lawrence, Kansas, the institution began offering college-level courses in 1869. Currently, there are five campuses located at Lawrence, Overland Park, Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina.

Estimated Budgets
Kansas Resident Total Budget$25,520
   In-State Tuition$10,092
   Other Fees$1,074
   Room and Board$9,900
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,230
   Books and Supplies$1,224
Non-Resident Total Budget$42,388
   Out-of-State Tuition$26,960
   Other Fees$1,074
   Room and Board$9,900
   On-Campus Other Budget$3,230
   Books and Supplies$1,224

Over 400 degrees, certificates, online programs, and 40 languages are taught yearly. A low student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1 is maintained.

The university is very active on the research front and spends millions annually on externally funded research.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the best athletic university in Kansas?

The University of Kansas is said to provide the best intercollegiate athletic programs in the state.

Which university in Kansas has the safest campus?

The Emporia State University, located in Emporia, ranks as one of the safest university campuses in Kansas.

Which are the best universities for international students in Kansas?

The majority of the universities in Kansas are international student-friendly, but at the top of the list, we have the University of Kansas, Emporia State University, KSU, and so on.

Which university has the highest acceptance rate in Kansas?

Located in Lawrence, Kansas, with a high acceptance rate of 93%, is the University of Kansas. 

Is financial aid available for international students?

Omitting federal loan options, scholarships, work-study programs, student loans, and more are available for international students.

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