Best Online Master’s Programs in Kansas 2023

Published: May 11, 2022
Updated: Sep 8, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Kansas ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs. Faculty and alumni with influential ideas are the foundation of respectable online degree programs employers can trust.

Baker University 99%
Kansas State University 96%
University of Kansas 92%
Wichita State University 91%
Newman University, Wichita 72%
Tabor College 54%
Sterling College 47%

Wichita State University 18 to 1
Kansas State University 18 to 1
University of Kansas 17 to 1
Tabor College 15 to 1
Newman University, Wichita 12 to 1
Sterling College 10 to 1
Baker University 10 to 1

Newman University, Wichita $34,460
Tabor College $33,400
Baker University $31,700
Sterling College $28,500
University of Kansas $10,092
Kansas State University $9,489
Wichita State University $6,843

Sterling College $14,107
Tabor College $11,670
Baker University $11,466
Kansas State University $10,294
University of Kansas $9,989
Newman University, Wichita $7,920
Wichita State University $5,544

Sterling College
Tabor College
Newman University, Wichita
Baker University
Wichita State University
Kansas State University
University of Kansas

Sterling College 47%
Tabor College 54%
Newman University, Wichita 72%
Wichita State University 91%
University of Kansas 92%
Kansas State University 96%
Baker University 99%

Sterling College 10 to 1
Baker University 10 to 1
Newman University, Wichita 12 to 1
Tabor College 15 to 1
University of Kansas 17 to 1
Wichita State University 18 to 1
Kansas State University 18 to 1

Wichita State University $6,843
Kansas State University $9,489
University of Kansas $10,092
Sterling College $28,500
Baker University $31,700
Tabor College $33,400
Newman University, Wichita $34,460

Wichita State University $5,544
Newman University, Wichita $7,920
University of Kansas $9,989
Kansas State University $10,294
Baker University $11,466
Tabor College $11,670
Sterling College $14,107

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Kansas

Prospective students searching for both brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Kansas can choose from a wide range of excellent schools. The Sunflower State offers a wide range of highly accessible public options for Kansas students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines.

Kansas is noted for its 23 community and technical colleges. These institutions provide numerous pathways to traditional and online degree programs, and well as online certificate programs for working professionals.

Kansas also has nine public universities, the largest being the University of Kansas (KU) with over 28,000 students. The school’s main campus is located in Lawrence, Kansas, but there are four other locations where students can attend KU classes: Overland Park, Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina. This means there are plenty of options for Kansas students seeking an on-campus experience and in state tuition rates.

It should also be noted that online students attending public colleges in Kansas are also entitled to in state tuition rates.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Kansas is also home to 22 private higher education institutions, with tuition ranging from $7,000 to $31,000.

In addition, students can choose from one of 18 religiously affiliated schools, including Newman University, Wichita - a Catholic liberal arts university serving the state’s largest private school student population at just over 2,000.

Kansas boasts an array of affordable options for both on-campus and online learners. The average tuition for a year of college in Kansas is $9,230, which is below the national average.

Kansas awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in popular fields of study, like economics, health services administration, early childhood education, elementary education, business administration, and more. Specialized degrees include aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas and agribusiness from Kansas State University.

Students who earn degrees in the medical and health care fields may have access to loan forgiveness-based programs, such as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This financial aid program awards up to $50,000, tax free, for those who serve two years at an approved site.

Arguably, it was the 1939 cinema classic, The Wizard of Oz, that put Kansas on the map. But this midwestern state is also known for its mouth-watering barbecue, open plains, and vast sunflower fields. Prospective students can also choose from traditional and online schools and universities across the state of Kansas.

See what Kansas has to offer by checking out the top undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as unique educational opportunities like online certificate programs and degree completion programs.

What are Kansas’s Colleges & Universities?

Kansas’s Best Overall

Online master’s degrees offered by respected colleges and universities are generally respected by employers. The main thing to consider about your online master’s choices is whether the school name is well known and respected. In many cases, employers won’t know your degree was earned online. But even if they do, a degree from a respected college is automatically to your benefit.

We rank the colleges and universities in this list by the influence of their alumni and faculty. For master’s degree students, including online master’s degree students, having faculty who are influential in your field matters a lot. It’s a big indicator that you have the chance to get a quality education. And, knowing that you will join an alumni association with some impressive people is nice, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s Degrees

An online master’s degree costs about $40,000 for the average grad student. However, the cost of your online master’s degree will depend on the type of grad school you attend. In 2018-2019, the average cost for a year of tuition in a public grad school was $12,171. The average cost for a year of tuition in private, non-profit grad school was $27,776. An online master’s degree will usually cost about the same as a traditional master’s degree. Some schools will charge 5-10% more for online courses. This added cost pays for the technology and specialized training needed for online instruction. But getting a master’s degree online can also help you save money. The costs above don’t include expenses like housing, transportation, or certain campus fees. As an online grad student, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these added expenses. Many online master’s degree programs are also accelerated. Most master’s degree programs are designed to be completed in two years. But you may be able to earn your online master’s degree in as little as 12-18 months. Earning an accelerated online master’s degree can save you money on tuition.

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

How do we determine Kansas's best online master's degree programs?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Kansas

The following graph depicts the average salaries of top occupations in different industries in Kansas.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary

95550Personal Financial Advisors

106500Database Architects

112890Petroleum Engineers

168160Chief Executives

183600Physicists

Best Online Master’s Program in Kansas 2022

#1
University of Kansas
Lawrence , KS
#8 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 Best Colleges in Kansas 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Research Universities in Kansas 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
66%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
Online Master's Degrees
MA in Applied Behavioral Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Applied Statistics and Analysis

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Architectural Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Civil Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Construction Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Curriculum and Instruction

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Curriculum and Instruction - Reading

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Curriculum and Instruction - TESOL

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Dietetics and Nutrition

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Digital Content Strategy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Educational Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Engineering Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Environmental and Water Resource Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Environmental Assessment

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Homeland Security: Law and Policy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Occupational Therapy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Organizational Communication

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Pharmacology and Toxicology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Project Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Public Health

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Secondary Special Ed and Transition

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Special Education - Autism

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Special Education - High Incidence Disabilities

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Sport Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Kansas State University
Manhattan , KS
#6 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Kansas 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Kansas 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
68%
Student body
17K
Online Master's Degrees
Master of Academic Advising

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Accountancy

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Adult Learning and Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Agribusiness

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Agricultural Education and Communication

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Chemical Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Civil Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Community Development

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Computer Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Curriculum

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Data Analytics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Dietetics

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Early Childhood Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Educational Leadership

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Engineering Management

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Family and Community Services

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Food Science

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Gerontology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Hospitality Administration

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Industrial Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Mass Communications

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Mechanical Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Merchandising

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Music

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Nuclear Engineering

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Nutrition, Dietetics and Sensory Sciences

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Operations Research

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Personal Financial Planning

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Public Health

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Security Studies

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Special Education

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Teaching (MAT - Elementary Education)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Teaching (MAT - Secondary Education)

Required Credits: 30-36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Wichita State University
Wichita , KS
#2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Kansas 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Kansas 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Kansas 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
48%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
Online Master’s Degrees
MS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Business Administration

Concentrations

Marketing

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 36-51
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Learning and Instructional Design

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Special Education - High Incidence

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Special Education - Low Incidence

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Teaching- Early Childhood Unified Residency

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Special Education - High Incidence Alternative Certification

Required Credits: 37-38
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Arts Leadership and Management

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MPA in Public Administration

Required Credits: 39
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Aging Studies

Concentrations

Administration
Public Health
Social Science

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Nursing Education

Required Credits: 37
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MHA in Health Administration

Required Credits: 42
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MS in Aging Studies

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Baker University
Baldwin City , KS
#3 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #23 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas 2023 #2 Best Small Colleges in Kansas 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1040/21
Online Master’s Degrees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in Sports Management

Required Credits: 33
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MA in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MA in Education

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in Instructional Design and Performance Technology

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in Higher Education Leadership

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in School Leadership

Required Credits: 37
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in Special Education

Required Credits: 33-36
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
MS in Nursing

Required Credits: 40-43
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Tabor College
Hillsboro , KS
#9 Best Private Colleges in Kansas 2023 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Kansas 2023 #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kansas 2023 #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Kansas
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Kansas 2023
- #20 Best Online Associate in Christian Ministry
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
48%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/20
Online Master’s Degrees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MBA in Sports Management and Leadership

Required Credits: 36
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MEd in Neuroscience and Trauma

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#6
Newman University, Wichita
Wichita , KS
#24 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #4 Best Online Colleges in Kansas 2023 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Kansas #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2023
Other Rankings
- #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2023
- #23 Best Online Master's in Theology
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Online Master’s Degrees
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MEd in Education

Required Credits: 33
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MTS in Theological Studies

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
MA in Theology

Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
Sterling College
Sterling , KS
#6 Best Online Colleges in Kansas 2023
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
43%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
990/21
Online Master’s Degrees
MA in Sports Ministry

Required Credits: 31
Completion time: 2-3 years
Format: Online
Compare school

Best Online Master’s Programs in Kansas 2023

Top Online Master's Programs in Kansas

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Kansas

What are Kansas’s Colleges & Universities?

Median Salaries of Top Careers in Kansas

Best Online Master’s Program in Kansas 2022

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master's Degrees

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Online Master’s Degrees

Online Master’s Degrees

Online Master’s Degrees

Online Master’s Degrees

Kansas’s Best Grad Programs in Your Area Interest