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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Kansas
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Kansas? Our ranking highlights 77 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 34 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Kansas
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Johnson County Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Trade degree schools in Kansas. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical Trade student debt is $13,532. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,387. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Johnson County Community College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas City Kansas Community College earned it the #2 place in Kansas. This public school is set in Kansas City, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Kansas City Kansas Community College Trade students take on a median of $13,129 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,795. Set against $13,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Kansas City Kansas Community College
Out of the 34 schools in Kansas in this year's value ranking, Hutchinson Community College landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Hutchinson, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,470 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt. Get the full Hutchinson Community College report
You'll get strong value at Coffeyville Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Coffeyville, KS, Coffeyville Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $12,838. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,246 ten years after entry. Set against $12,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Coffeyville Community College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highland Community College Highland earned it the #5 place in Kansas. Located in Highland, KS, Highland Community College Highland is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,495. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,291. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Read the full report on Highland Community College Highland
Cloud County Community College landed the #6 spot for value in Kansas this year. Based in Concordia, KS, Cloud County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,883. That is a strong return on a $12,839 median debt. More on Cloud County Community College
Garden City Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Garden City, KS, Garden City Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,704 ten years after entry. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Garden City Community College
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. Located in Liberal, KS, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $9,175. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Seward County Community College And Area Technical School profile
Neosho County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Chanute, KS, Neosho County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $45,966 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Neosho County Community College
Labette Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Parsons, KS, Labette Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Typical Trade student debt is $12,288. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,818. Set against $12,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Labette Community College
Barton County Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Great Bend, KS, Barton County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $14,792. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,428 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Barton County Community College report
Fort Hays State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,928 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Fort Hays State University
Dodge City Community College landed the #13 spot for value in Kansas this year. Located in Dodge City, KS, Dodge City Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out. Read more about Dodge City Community College
Colby Community College placed #14 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. Located in Colby, KS, Colby Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,889. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt. Read the full report on Colby Community College
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #15 spot for value in Kansas this year. Based in Wichita, KS, Wichita Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,679. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Wichita Area Technical College
Ottawa University Online landed the #16 spot for value in Kansas this year. Set in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa University Online is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,296. The median Trade program debt is $30,758. Ottawa University Online alumni report median earnings of $55,552 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $30,758 median debt. Read more about Ottawa University Online
Flint Hills Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $6,944. The median Trade program debt is $14,690. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,007 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,690 median debt. Get the full Flint Hills Technical College report
Pittsburg State University landed the #18 spot for value in Kansas this year. This public school is set in Pittsburg, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $22,669. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,579 ten years after entry. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants. More on Pittsburg State University
Butler Community College placed #19 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. This public school is set in El Dorado, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical Trade student debt is $16,670. Butler Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,206 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Butler Community College
North Central Kansas Technical College placed #21 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. Located in Beloit, KS, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,350. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,928. Read the full report on North Central Kansas Technical College
Washburn University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Topeka, KS, Washburn University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $49,774 ten years out. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Washburn University
Ottawa University Kansas City offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Overland Park, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,296. Graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Median earnings reach $55,552 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $30,758 median debt. See the full Ottawa University Kansas City profile
Salina Area Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Salina, KS, Salina Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,128 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $17,124. Median earnings reach $42,175 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt. Get the full Salina Area Technical College report
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Manhattan Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,844. The median Trade program debt is $15,499. Manhattan Area Technical College alumni report median earnings of $51,864 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Manhattan Area Technical College report
Kansas State University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,262 ten years after entry. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Kansas State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Kansas
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Wichita State University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Located in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,532. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on Wichita State University
University Of Kansas came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,945 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Rasmussen College Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Rasmussen College Kansas is a private for-profit school based in Topeka, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,316. Typical Trade student debt is $28,798. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,080. That is a strong return on a $28,798 median debt. More on Rasmussen College Kansas
Newman University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Newman University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wichita, KS. Students from in state pay about $35,500 in tuition and fees. Newman University Trade students take on a median of $24,562 in debt. Median earnings reach $55,041 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,562 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Newman University report
University Of Saint Mary ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Leavenworth, KS, University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,810 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Saint Mary report
Southwestern College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,822 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $26,874. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,646 ten years after entry. Set against $26,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. More on Southwestern College
Friends University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Friends University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wichita, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,192. Friends University Trade students take on a median of $29,721 in debt. Friends University alumni report median earnings of $52,113 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,721 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Friends University
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #34 spot for value in Kansas this year. This public school is set in Goodland, KS. Median earnings reach $38,616 ten years out. Get the full Northwest Kansas Technical College report
Haskell Indian Nations University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Haskell Indian Nations University report
Pratt Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Pratt Community College profile
Wichita Technical Institute placed #36 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. See the full Wichita Technical Institute profile
Central Christian College Of Kansas came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Central Christian College Of Kansas report
Cowley County Community College placed #38 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. Read more about Cowley County Community College
Kansas Christian College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Kansas Christian College
Allen County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Allen County Community College profile
Heartland Welding Academy landed the #41 spot for value in Kansas this year. More on Heartland Welding Academy
Old Town Barber College Wichita ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Old Town Barber College Wichita
Baker University
Baker University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Baker University
Mcpherson College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. See the full Mcpherson College profile
Sterling College Kansas placed #45 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. See the full Sterling College Kansas profile
Emporia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Emporia State University report
Eric Fisher Academy placed #47 among the best-value Trade schools in Kansas. More on Eric Fisher Academy
Cleveland Chiropractic College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Cleveland Chiropractic College report
Saint Paul School Of Theology ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Saint Paul School Of Theology
Independence Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Independence Community College report
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 34 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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