Many online colleges in Kansas provide opportunities for working professionals and busy students to earn a degree. According to a report by the Digital Learning Compass, online enrollment is steadily increasing. Of the 220,222 students enrolled in Kansas institutions in 2015, 79,683 students were enrolled in online learning courses. Of these online learners, 75% studied at public institutions, 16% at private, for-profit schools, and 9% at private, nonprofit institutions. Of the state's students enrolled only in online programs, 47% were Kansas residents, 45% were out-of-state students, and 8% were from outside the United States.
Many students take online college courses in Kansas to study while dedicating time to personal and professional commitments. This guide provides information for students considering online colleges in Kansas, including enrollment rates, tuition costs, job opportunities, and scholarship options. This guide also identifies the state's largest industries to help prospective students determine whether an online education from a Kansas institution is right for them.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Kansas
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Kansas
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the 2015-2016 academic year, Kansas was home to 75 four-year, degree-granting institutions, 26 private schools, and 16 for-profit institutions. Also according to NCES data, 214,301 students were enrolled in postsecondary institutions in Kansas in 2016, which was the highest enrollment of any state. Many online colleges in Kansas offer discounted tuition rates for in-state students, and some charge all online learners in-state tuition rates, regardless of residency. According to the College Board, tuition and fees for in-state students at the state's four-year, public institutions averaged $9,100 during the 2017-2018 academic year. Tuition and fees at the University of Kansas, the state's flagship university, averaged $11,148 for in-state students and $27,358 for out-of-state students during the 2017-2018 school year.[dataviz-stats public="33" non-profit="26" for-profit="16"]According to the NASSGAP annual survey, $17,247,581 was awarded in need-based financial aid during the 2015-2016 school year. Both residents and nonresidents pursuing an education in Kansas have many opportunities to earn financial aid based on need. Because of such opportunities, students should not be discouraged by higher out-of-state tuition rates. Learners should consider both cost and available financial aid before determining whether a school fits their budget.
Higher Education in Kansas
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Kansas
According to the Digital Learning Compass, 12,961 graduate students and 66,722 undergraduate students were taking at least one online course in 2015. During the same year, 9,535 graduate students and 35,786 undergraduate students took only online courses. Of those online students, 19,504 were from a different state, while 20,351 were Kansas residents. Additionally, 3,344 online students were from outside the United States. Grantham University is the leading university in Kansas for total online enrollment and for online enrollment growth, with 9,463 students enrolled in online courses in 2012 and 11,721 online students in 2015.[dataviz-nces online="15.3" undergrad="79.5" in-state="64.8"]Students can access the Kansas Association for Interactive Distance Education (KAIDE), a nonprofit association comprising schools, education service centers, IDL networks, and state agencies. KAIDE promotes and advocates for distance education, recognizes related achievements, and organizes forums and conferences. Kansas legislature created the Kan-Ed project to encourage the use of broadband technology-based video communication for online learning and telemedicine. Kan-Ed also helps libraries, schools, and hospitals apply for federal grants related to video communication for telemedicine and online learning. Students can also benefit from the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance, which offers affordable, flexible online programs.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Out-of-state students at online colleges in Kansas may receive tuition breaks through the Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC), which works to increase postsecondary enrollment through the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Since 1994, the MSEP has provided affordable opportunities for out-of-state students. Through the MSEP, more than 100 colleges offer more affordable rates for out-of-state learners. MHEC comprises the schools of 12 midwestern states, with 10 of those states participating in the voluntary exchange program. MHEC includes schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.Through the MSEP, public higher learning institutions agree to charge out-of-state students no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate. Private institutions offer a 10% discount on tuition rates. To take advantage of the program, students must enroll as nonresidents at a participating MSEP campus. Each institution makes final enrollment decisions and may limit participation or set specific admission requirements for students taking advantage of the MSEP. Candidates must be residents of a participating state who are applying to an institution in a different participating state.
Best Online Colleges in Kansas
Below are rankings of the best online four-year programs in Kansas. The profiles describe each school's approach to online education and list services for distance students, along with the school's most popular fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Kansas, explore our state resources, including a database of every college and university in Kansas and an index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Kansas
Below is another list of online colleges in Kansas, sorted by tuition rates.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in KS with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in their state.
College Graduate Outlook in Kansas
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Kansas
Graduates of online colleges in Kansas have several potential career paths. There are many fast-growing occupations in the state, including positions as marketing managers, who earn an average of $125,740 per year. Graduates may also become physician assistants, who average $97,420 each year, or business analysts who earn an average salary of $77,880 in Kansas. The table below includes the top jobs in the state.Many graduates work in the state's key industries: advanced manufacturing, animal health, food processing, logistics and distribution, bioscience, aerospace, and alternative energy. About 70% of the world's embedded aviation fleet is manufactured in Kansas, with more than a quarter million aircrafts produced since 1919; advanced manufacturing is the leading industry in the state and offers many job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for all jobs in Iowa is $44,570 and the unemployment rate is 3.3%, with many jobs available to recent graduates.