Top 10 Private Colleges in Kansas
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateTop 10 Private Colleges in Kansas
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Kansas is Baker University in Baldwin City, the state's oldest four-year university, whose strong graduation rate, small class sizes, and deep liberal-arts and nursing programs place it at the top of the state's private institutions. The Best Value pick is Benedictine College in Atchison, a fast-growing Catholic liberal-arts college that pairs solid outcomes and a vibrant campus culture with comparatively moderate net costs and generous aid.
This list is built for Kansas families and students weighing private four-year options, with a focus on academics, graduation outcomes, affordability, and fit. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from IPEDS, the College Scorecard, U.S. News, and individual college sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against priorities students and families actually report, drawing on figures from the federal IPEDS database, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, U.S. News, and Niche. The weighting:
- Academic quality and programs - 25%
- Graduation and post-grad outcomes - 20%
- Value, net price, and aid - 20%
- Faculty and resources - 15%
- Campus environment and fit - 10%
- Selectivity and student profile - 10%
A college with a strong reputation but weak graduation results drops. The winners balance outcomes, affordability, and student support.
1. Baker University 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private (United Methodist) | Location: Baldwin City | Best for: Students wanting a historic liberal-arts college with strong outcomes
Founded in 1858, Baker University is Kansas's oldest four-year university, enrolling roughly 2,000 undergraduates on its main residential campus plus additional students in its professional schools. Baker posts a graduation rate near 65%, well above the state private average, with a student-faculty ratio around 11:1 that supports small, seminar-style classes.
Its nursing, biology, and education programs are standouts, and the university is known for strong job placement and a tight alumni network. Average aid packages are generous, and most students receive merit scholarships.
Pros:
- Oldest and most established private university in Kansas
- Graduation rate near 65%, above the state private average
- Small 11:1 student-faculty ratio
- Strong nursing, biology, and education programs
Cons:
- Small-town setting may not suit students wanting a big city
- Limited graduate program breadth
Verdict: Baker wins on balance - the deepest mix of history, outcomes, and small-class attention in Kansas.
2. Benedictine College
Type: Private (Catholic) | Location: Atchison | Best for: Students wanting a vibrant Catholic liberal-arts community at moderate cost 💎 BEST VALUE
Benedictine College in Atchison enrolls about 2,200 undergraduates and has grown rapidly thanks to a strong campus culture and competitive net costs. Benedictine posts a graduation rate near 60%, generous merit and need-based aid that lowers net price below sticker, and well-regarded programs in business, theology, engineering, and biology.
Its 11:1 student-faculty ratio and active student life make it one of the most affordable strong-outcome private colleges in the region.
Pros:
- Competitive net price with generous aid
- Graduation rate near 60% and rising enrollment
- Strong business, engineering, and theology programs
- Vibrant, close-knit campus community
Cons:
- Faith-centered culture may not fit every student
- Smaller endowment than national peers
Verdict: The value champion - strong outcomes and a vibrant community at a moderate net price.
3. Bethel College
Type: Private (Mennonite) | Location: North Newton | Best for: Students wanting a small, academically rigorous liberal-arts experience
Bethel College in North Newton is a small Mennonite liberal-arts college of about 500 students that punches above its weight academically. Bethel posts a graduation rate near 60%, a very low student-faculty ratio around 10:1, and a strong record placing graduates in health professions, sciences, and graduate school.
Its nursing and pre-med programs are particularly well regarded for such a small institution.
Pros:
- Very low 10:1 student-faculty ratio
- Strong pre-med and nursing placement
- Graduation rate near 60% despite small size
- Close personal attention and mentoring
Cons:
- Very small enrollment limits social and program breadth
- Rural setting
Verdict: A rigorous small-college standout - excellent for students who want close mentoring and strong science placement.
4. Friends University
Type: Private (Christian) | Location: Wichita | Best for: Wichita-area students wanting a city campus with professional programs
Friends University in Wichita enrolls about 1,800 students and offers strong professional and pre-professional programs in a metropolitan setting. Friends posts a graduation rate near 55% and is known for its fine arts, business, and health science programs, plus flexible adult and graduate options.
Its city location gives students access to internships and employers across the Wichita metro.
Pros:
- Metropolitan Wichita location with internship access
- Strong fine arts, business, and health programs
- Flexible adult and graduate options
- Solid pre-professional placement
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the top liberal-arts picks
- Commuter share reduces residential feel
Verdict: The best city-campus private in Kansas - strong professional programs with metro access.
5. Newman University
Type: Private (Catholic) | Location: Wichita | Best for: Students targeting health professions and nursing
Newman University in Wichita serves about 2,500 students and is widely known for its nursing and allied-health programs. Newman posts a graduation rate near 55%, strong clinical placement rates, and a Catholic, service-oriented mission. The university's health programs feed directly into the region's hospital systems, giving graduates strong employment prospects.
Pros:
- Standout nursing and allied-health programs
- Strong clinical placement and regional hiring
- Service-oriented Catholic mission
- Solid graduate health offerings
Cons:
- Strongest reputation is concentrated in health fields
- Graduation rate is moderate
Verdict: The health-professions leader among Kansas privates - excellent for nursing and allied-health students.
6. MidAmerica Nazarene University
Type: Private (Nazarene) | Location: Olathe | Best for: Kansas City metro students wanting a faith-based residential campus
MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, in the Kansas City metro, enrolls about 1,700 students and offers a faith-based residential experience with strong business, nursing, and education programs. The university posts a graduation rate near 55% and benefits from its Kansas City metro location, giving students internship and employment access.
Its athletics and campus ministry programs are central to student life.
Pros:
- Kansas City metro location with employer access
- Strong nursing, business, and education programs
- Active campus ministry and athletics
- Residential, community-focused experience
Cons:
- Faith-centered culture may not fit every student
- Moderate graduation rate
Verdict: A solid metro-adjacent faith-based college - strong professional programs near Kansas City.
7. Ottawa University
Type: Private (American Baptist) | Location: Ottawa | Best for: Students wanting a small residential campus with flexible pathways
Ottawa University in Ottawa enrolls about 600 residential undergraduates on its main campus, plus a large network of adult and online students. The residential campus posts a graduation rate near 50% and offers strong business, education, and exercise science programs.
Ottawa's small residential setting supports close faculty relationships and active athletics.
Pros:
- Small residential campus with close faculty ties
- Strong business and exercise science programs
- Flexible adult and online pathways
- Active athletics and student life
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the leaders
- Small residential enrollment
Verdict: A flexible small-college option - good for students wanting close attention and adaptable pathways.
8. Sterling College
Type: Private (Presbyterian) | Location: Sterling | Best for: Students wanting a tight-knit Christian liberal-arts community
Sterling College in Sterling is a small Presbyterian liberal-arts college of about 700 students with a strong sense of community and a service mission. Sterling posts a graduation rate near 50% and is known for education, business, and youth ministry programs, plus competitive athletics.
Its small size supports personal mentoring and a close campus culture.
Pros:
- Tight-knit, service-oriented community
- Strong education and business programs
- Competitive athletics for its size
- Close personal mentoring
Cons:
- Small, rural setting limits breadth
- Moderate graduation rate
Verdict: A community-first small college - ideal for students wanting close relationships and a service mission.
9. McPherson College
Type: Private (Church of the Brethren) | Location: McPherson | Best for: Students interested in automotive restoration and entrepreneurship
McPherson College in McPherson enrolls about 800 students and is nationally distinctive for its Automotive Restoration program, the only four-year bachelor's of its kind in the country. The college posts a graduation rate near 55% and emphasizes entrepreneurship and hands-on learning.
Its unique niche programs draw students nationally despite its small size.
Pros:
- Unique nationally known Automotive Restoration program
- Strong entrepreneurship and hands-on learning focus
- Graduation rate near 55%
- Distinctive niche draws national students
Cons:
- Niche programs may not suit all majors
- Small, rural enrollment
Verdict: A one-of-a-kind specialty college - unmatched for automotive restoration and entrepreneurship.
10. Tabor College
Type: Private (Mennonite Brethren) | Location: Hillsboro | Best for: Students wanting a small faith-based campus with strong music and athletics
Tabor College in Hillsboro is a small Mennonite Brethren college of about 700 students known for its music, nursing, and business programs and a strong athletics tradition. Tabor posts a graduation rate near 50% and offers a close, faith-centered residential experience with active student life and competitive sports.
Pros:
- Strong music, nursing, and business programs
- Competitive athletics tradition
- Close faith-centered residential community
- Active student life for its size
Cons:
- Small, rural setting
- Graduation rate is moderate
Verdict: A close-knit faith-based college - strong for music, nursing, and student athletes.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College in Kansas
- Graduation rate - A higher four- and six-year graduation rate signals strong student support and a clear path to a degree, more than reputation alone.
- Net price vs. Sticker price - Private colleges often discount heavily; check the College Scorecard net price by income band, not the published tuition.
- Program strength and placement - Look at where a college places graduates in nursing, business, or your intended field, not just the overall ranking.
- Student-faculty ratio - Small ratios at colleges like Bethel and Baker mean more personal attention and mentoring.
- Campus culture and mission - Many Kansas privates are faith-affiliated; consider whether the mission and community fit the student.
- Location and access - City campuses like Friends and Newman offer internship access; rural campuses offer a close residential experience.
What matters less than marketing implies: the sticker tuition figure, the newest dorm, or a national ranking number. Net cost, graduation rate, and program fit shape outcomes far more.
FAQ
Which is the best overall private college in Kansas? Baker University earns the top spot for its history, graduation rate near 65%, small 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and strong nursing, biology, and education programs.
What is the best value private college in Kansas? Benedictine College is our best value, pairing a graduation rate near 60% and strong programs with generous aid that lowers net price below sticker.
Which Kansas private college is best for nursing? Newman University and Bethel College are standouts for nursing and allied health, with strong clinical placement into regional hospital systems.
Are Kansas private colleges affordable? Many discount heavily through merit and need-based aid; colleges like Benedictine and Baker post net prices well below their sticker tuition, so check the College Scorecard by income band.
Which Kansas private college has the most unique program? McPherson College offers the country's only four-year bachelor's degree in Automotive Restoration, drawing students nationally.
Do Kansas private colleges have religious affiliations? Most do - they range from Catholic (Benedictine, Newman) to Methodist (Baker), Mennonite (Bethel, Tabor), and others; consider whether the mission and community fit the student.
Bottom Line
For Kansas students, Baker University is our Best Overall private college - its history, graduation rate near 65%, and strong programs set the standard. Benedictine College is our Best Value, pairing solid outcomes and a vibrant community with generous aid and a moderate net price.
If your priority is nursing, a small rigorous liberal-arts experience, or a unique specialty program, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Newman, Bethel, or McPherson instead. Choose on net cost, graduation rate, and program fit - not a single ranking number - and you will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education - College Scorecard
- IPEDS - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
- U.S. News - Best Colleges in Kansas
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Kansas
- Kansas Board of Regents
- Baker University
- Benedictine College
- Bethel College
- Newman University
- McPherson College - Automotive Restoration
*Private colleges in Kansas review - best Kansas private colleges, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top private colleges for students.*