5 Top Kansas Colleges and Universities

None of Kansas's colleges and universities are painfully selective, but the state does have some excellent options for higher education. The top picks for the state range from two large public universities to tiny Bethel College with under 500 students. The top Kansas colleges are listed alphabetically to avoid the arbitrary distinctions often used to distinguish #1 from #2, and because of the impossibility of comparing schools with such wide-ranging missions, sizes, and personalities. The schools were chosen based on factors such as academic reputation, curricular innovation, first-year retention rate, six-year graduation rate, value, financial aid and student engagement.

Keep in mind that the best college for your interests and goals may not be on the list.

Compare Kansas Colleges: SAT Scores | ACT Scores

Baker University

Location: Baldwin City, Kansas
Enrollment: 2,769 (1,793 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church
Distinctions: 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; over 40 areas of study; founded in 1858 (oldest university in Kansas); evening and online programs available; over 70 student clubs and activities; most students receive grant aid; NAIA intercollegiate athletic program
For acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, costs and other information, visit the Baker University profile

Benedictine College

Location: Atchinson, Kansas
Enrollment: 2,124 (2,057 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private Catholic liberal arts college
Distinctions: 60 academic majors and minors; nearly all students receive grant aid; significant growth in recent years following a $70 million capital campaign; popular business program; NAIA intercollegiate athletic program
For acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, costs and other information, visit the Benedictine College profile

Bethel College

Location: North Newton, Kansas
Enrollment: 444 (all undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA
Distinctions: higher-than-predicted graduation rate; hands-on learning through research and internships; 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 20; 40 student clubs and organizations; NAIA intercollegiate athletic program
For acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, costs and other information, visit the Bethel College profile

Kansas State University

Location: Manhattan, Kansas (second campus in Salina for the School of Technology and Aviation)
Enrollment: 22,221 (17,869 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public university
Distinctions: students come from all 50 states and more than 90 countries; over 250 undergraduate areas of study; over 475 student organizations; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; rich history dating back to 1858; member of the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference
For acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, costs and other information, visit the Kansas State University profile

University of Kansas

Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Enrollment: 27,690 (19,596 undergraduate)
Type of Institution: public university
Distinctions: member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; students from all 50 states and 109 countries; over 200 fields of study; strong study abroad program; member of the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference
Explore the Campus: KU Photo Tour
For acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, costs and other information, visit the University of Kansas profile

More Options from the Region

If you're looking for other Midwestern schools that might be a match for your interests, professional goals, and academic qualifications, these articles can help guide you:

Top Kansas Colleges