2023 Best Online Nursing Programs in Kansas

Higher Education in Kansas

Kansas college students have 62 different colleges, universities, and technical schools to choose from when it comes to earning a degree. The Sunflower State is home to large universities offering bachelor's and master's degrees, including the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, and small colleges such as Kansas Christian College. There are also 28 different community and technical colleges that offer certificate programs and associate degrees.

A total of 263,330 students enrolled in colleges and universities across Kansas in the 2020-21 school year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

There are only two schools recognized as minority-serving institutions in the state. Haskell Indian Nations University is a tribal college in Lawrence, Kansas, that served 864 students for the 2020-21 school year. Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas, is a hispanic-serving institution with 2,132 students enrolled in 2020-21.

Average tuition and fees at public schools in Kansas are in line with the national average. However, private colleges in Kansas tend to be more affordable, with students paying about $8,000 less than the national average.

Online Colleges in Kansas

Students in Kansas can choose from 51 different colleges offering online and distance education programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, as well as certificates and diplomas.

While students can study nearly any major online, the most popular majors for online degrees include business, nursing, criminal justice, information technology, and teaching. Popular online master's programs include business administration (MBA), social work (MSW), and education.

Students can choose from fully online degrees with no in-person requirements or hybrid programs, where most coursework is completed online but students may go to campus for labs once a week or complete one course in person.

Many adult learners and online students choose distance learning to accommodate work, family, and other responsibilities. Those who are squeezing college into an already busy schedule might look for a program that offers asynchronous classes, where students can watch lectures and participate in discussions when they have time rather than logging in at a set time. For students who need more structure, synchronous classes might be a better option so they can meet with their class at a set time each day.

Students interested in an associate or bachelor's degree will need a high school diploma to apply. Some schools also require things like application essays, letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT test scores, or a specific GPA. For graduate degrees, students need to have a bachelor's to apply. They may also need to take the GRE, but fewer schools require this now than they did in the past.

When choosing an online college, students should be sure to look for schools that have accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission or another organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. If a school has accreditation, it means the college is regularly reviewed to make sure it can serve its students and that its programs meet academic standards. We only show accredited colleges on our site to help students find quality online programs.

FAQs About Online Colleges in Kansas