Liberal at a glance
- Population: 18,999 people, the 23rd-largest place among Kansas's 625 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 19,832 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 4.2% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kansas places: 23rd-largest of 625 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 96% of the places in Kansas (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 37.0461, -100.9277 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Garden City, KS (64 mi); Dodge City, KS (70 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places close by: Tyrone, OK (10 mi); Kismet, KS (17 mi); Hooker, OK (20 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Liberal
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Kansas lending rules that apply in Liberal
The table carries the Kansas rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Liberal.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required (supervised loans) Source says: "Unless a person is exempt from licensing ... such person shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making supervised loans". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, earned wage access service providers, and money transmitters". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| UCCC consumer loan rate caps | 36% on first $860 of unpaid balance; 21% above $860 (closed-end consumer loans) Source says: "36% on the unpaid principal balance which is $860 or less, and 21% on the unpaid principal balance which exceeds $860". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% per annum (general contract-rate ceiling for written instruments) Source says: "may stipulate therein for interest receivable ... at a rate not to exceed 15% per annum unless otherwise specifically authorized by law". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday cash advances of $500 or less; charge capped at 15%) Source says: "a licensed or supervised lender may charge an amount not to exceed 15% of the amount of the cash advance". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Liberal
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Liberal:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Kansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.