Many feature affordable tuition and generous credit transfer policies for coursework, work experience, and military service. Online colleges in Kansas can prepare you for careers in the state’s key industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, corporate and professional services, energy and natural resources, and logistics and distribution. SEE: How to get college credit for work experience
Top 5 online schools in Kansas: Quick facts
The 9 best online colleges in Kansas
Many lists of online programs exist on the internet, but you can trust ZDNet’s ranking methodology to provide curated, accurate, and independently researched data. Our metrics include school reputation, academic quality, affordability, and the number of available online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- University of KansasLawrence, Kansas About the school: A large research institution, University of Kansas offers career-focused online degree programs in areas like business, education, healthcare, and technology, plus liberal studies.
Acceptance rate: 91% Graduation rate: 64% Price for undergraduate degree: $398-$485 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $595-$1,116 per creditStudent body population: 26,780Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 11Number of online master’s degree programs: 33Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 540-650; math 530-670 Minimum GPA: Program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 2. Kansas State UniversityManhattan, Kansas About the school: Kansas State University’s Global Campus boasts a 97% job placement rate and more than 50 years of delivering distance education. Notable programs include a bachelor’s in professional aviation and a master’s in academic advising.
Acceptance rate: 94% Graduation rate: 62% Price for undergraduate degree: $375 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $511 per creditStudent body population: 20,229Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 21Number of online master’s degree programs: 46Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly available Minimum GPA: First-year, 3.25; transfer, 2.0; graduate, 3.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 3. Fort Hays State UniversityHays, Kansas About the school: Fort Hays State University offers many online degrees across its colleges of arts, humanities, and social sciences; business and entrepreneurship; education; health and behavioral sciences; and science, technology, and mathematics.
Explore Best online bachelor’s degrees: Top undergrad degrees The best online bachelor’s degrees check all the right boxes when it comes to curricula, cost, and convenience. We’ve broken down our top picks here. Read now Acceptance rate: 91% Graduation rate: 57% Price for undergraduate degree: $227 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $299 per creditStudent body population: 14,102Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 87Number of online master’s degree programs: 20Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: First-year, 2.25; transfer, 2.0; graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 4. Wichita State UniversityWichita, Kansas About the school: Wichita State University’s online programs include business, criminal justice, education, and nursing. The bachelor’s in general studies offers several concentrations, such as anthropology, political science, organizational leadership and learning, and social work.
Acceptance rate: 80% Graduation rate: 50% Price for undergraduate degree: $228 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $308 per creditStudent body population: 15,394Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 12Number of online master’s degree programs: 10Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 510-620; math 510-630 Minimum GPA: First-year, 2.25; transfer/adult learner, 2.0; graduate, program-specific Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Wichita State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 5. MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe, Kansas About the school: MidAmerica Nazarene University offers accelerated online degrees designed for working adults in business, education, and nursing, including a dual master’s in nursing/MBA. MNU is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene.
Acceptance rate: 64% Graduation rate: 67% Price for undergraduate degree: $209-$450 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $398-$634 per creditStudent body population: 1,584Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: FiveNumber of online master’s degree programs: SixAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: Undergraduate, 2.0-2.75; graduate, 2.75-3.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous (some programs have in-person components)
Accreditation: MidAmerica Nazarene University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 6. Baker UniversityBaldwin City, Kansas About the school: United Methodist Church-affiliated Baker University offers accelerated distance learning with a career focus. Baker awards bachelor’s degrees in business, criminal justice, and psychology, plus master’s in business, education, and nursing.
Explore Best online MBA degrees in 2022 Overwhelmed by MBA options? We rounded up the best online MBA programs to help you decide which one is right for your personal and professional goals. Read now Acceptance rate: 93% Graduation rate: 60% Price for undergraduate degree: $420-$480 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $396-$637 per creditStudent body population: 2,364Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: FiveNumber of online master’s degree programs: NineAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 490-550; math460-580Minimum GPA: Program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Baker University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 7. Ottawa UniversityOttawa, Kansas About the school: Baptist-affiliated Ottawa University invites prospective students to sample an online class free of charge. Programs include addiction counseling, business, healthcare management, human resources, and nursing.
Acceptance rate: 70% Graduation rate: 44% Price for undergraduate degree: $250-$499 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $499-$649 per creditStudent body population: 879Student-to-teacher ratio: 11:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 26Number of online master’s degree programs: 15Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 320-480; math 430-510Minimum GPA: Undergraduate, N/A; graduate, 3.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 8. Southwestern CollegeWinfield, Kansas About the school: A Methodist-affiliated institution, Southwestern College accepts up to 94 prior learning and experience credits toward an online degree. Each student works with an academic success coach and can start during one of eight enrollment periods per year.
Acceptance rate: 56% Graduation rate: 45% Price for undergraduate degree: $250-$610 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $465-$845 per creditStudent body population: 1,282Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: 15Number of online master’s degree programs: EightAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 430-550; math 440-540 Minimum GPA: Program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Southwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 9. Friends UniversityWichita, Kansas About the school: At Friends University, adult online learners can select among eight bachelor’s degrees, plus a 4+1 program in which students earn a bachelor’s and master’s in five years. Friends is a Christian university of Quaker heritage.
Read this Accelerated bachelor’s degrees: The fastest college degrees Would you like to earn an undergraduate degree but can’t spend four years doing it? An accelerated bachelor’s degree may be for you. Read now Acceptance rate: 58% Graduation rate: 51% Price for undergraduate degree: $395 per creditPrice for graduate degree: $595-$636 per creditStudent body population: 1,692Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1Number of online bachelor degree programs: EightNumber of online master’s degree programs: Six plus six 4+1 degreesAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 500-560; math 460-580 Minimum GPA: Undergraduate: 2.0; graduate: 2.75 Course delivery method: Asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid
Accreditation: Friends University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
In conclusion
Online colleges in Kansas offer numerous options for earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree (or both!). Follow the school links to dive in deeper, and visit our other guides, including our choices of the best online colleges and universities, as part of your research.
