By Trish Svoboda

A list of the top public colleges in Kansas was compiled by Stacker, based on data from Niche. Niche’s approach prioritizes academic quality, including factors such as professor quality, acceptance and graduation rates, and research expenditures. Next, Niche looks at value, considering the average cost for students after factoring in financial aid, annual student loan amounts, and metrics related to graduates’ earnings and ability to repay student loans.

The analysis also takes into account additional aspects, including campus diversity, quality of student life, available housing and food options, as well as data about the surrounding community, such as crime rates and rent prices.

The top 3 colleges to make the list are, at number 3, Emporia State University, coming in second place is Kansas State University, and first place goes to The University of Kansas.