Kansas university campus representing artificial intelligence education
Updated December 2025

Best Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kansas: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 7 top accredited artificial intelligence programs in Kansas. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park.

Programs Ranked7
Median Salary$92,340
Cost of Living86.8%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kansas 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Wichita State University

Wichita, KSPublic

275 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 87% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
87%
Grad Rate
74.0
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Southwestern College

Winfield, KSPrivate

20 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 96% graduation rate

$38K
Tuition/yr
96%
Grad Rate
53.2
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Benedictine College

Atchison, KSPrivate

8 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 70% graduation rate

$34K
Tuition/yr
70%
Grad Rate
40.9
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Kansas offers 7+ accredited artificial intelligence programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Wichita State University leads with 87% graduation rate
  • 3.Kansas software developers earn median $92,340 annually (BLS OES 2024)
  • 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park
  • 5.Cost of living index: 86.8% of US average (below average)

Artificial Intelligence Education in Kansas: Overview

Kansas offers 7 accredited artificial intelligence programs, producing approximately 329 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park, with major employers including Garmin, Sprint, Cerner.

With a median software developer salary of $92,340 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 86.8% compared to the US average, Kansas offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.

The top artificial intelligence programs in the state are led by Wichita State University, Southwestern College, Benedictine College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Kansas Artificial Intelligence Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Wichita State UniversityWichita, KSPublic$7,24787%74
2Southwestern CollegeWinfield, KSPrivate$38,33096%53.2
3Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KSPrivate$34,00070%40.9
4Butler Community CollegeEl Dorado, KSPublic$3,090โ€”30.3
5Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KSPublic$5,542โ€”30.3
6Baker UniversityBaldwin City, KSPrivate$33,200โ€”29.8
7Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend, KSPublic$2,432โ€”27.6

Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kansas: Side-by-Side

SchoolWichita StateSouthwestern CollegeBenedictine CollegeButler Community CollegeEmporia State
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$7,247
$38,330
$34,000
$3,090
$5,542
Graduation Rate
87%
96%
70%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
275
20
8
15
5
Acceptance Rate
95%
65%
76%
N/A
98%
Type
Public
Private
Private
Public
Public
Score
74.0/100
53.2/100
40.9/100
30.3/100
30.3/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Artificial Intelligence in Kansas

Kansas offers 4 bachelor's-level artificial intelligence programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Wichita State University, Southwestern College, Benedictine College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $64,638 in the Kansas market.

A bachelor's in artificial intelligence typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs in Kansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Wichita State
$7,247
87%
70
68.0
#2 Southwestern College
$38,330
96%
20
53.2
#3 Benedictine College
$34,000
70%
8
40.9

Top Artificial Intelligence Schools for Master's Degrees in Kansas

For graduate study, Kansas offers 2 master's-level artificial intelligence programs. Leading institutions include Wichita State University, Emporia State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Kansas reaching $120,042 or more.

Explore our complete national rankings of the best artificial intelligence master's programs for more options beyond Kansas.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Master's Programs in Kansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Wichita State
$7,247
87%
275
74.0
#2 Emporia State
$5,542
N/A%
5
30.3

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Colleges in Kansas

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable artificial intelligence programs in Kansas are at Barton County Community College ($2,432/year), Butler Community College ($3,090/year), Emporia State University ($5,542/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Kansas's competitive tech salaries.

At Barton County Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $9,728 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $64,638, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.3 years. See our Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs in Kansas (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Barton County Community...
$2,432
$9,728
0.3 years
Public
#2 Butler Community College
$3,090
$12,360
0.4 years
Public
#3 Emporia State
$5,542
$22,168
0.7 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Schools in Kansas

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 artificial intelligence programs in Kansas, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.

#1

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $7,247 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 87% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 275 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 74.0 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 87% graduation rate
  • 275 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 74.0 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (87%), program size (275 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (95% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

Wichita State's Data Science program offers access to some of the best research facilities in the country with opportunities to work with faculty and industry professionals. The program includes an accelerated Bachelor's to Master's option and features a new facility for the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation focused on interdisciplinary research across multiple economic sectors.

Admission Prerequisites
  • โ€ขbachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a related area
Admissions
  • Min GPA: 3.00
Program Details
  • Credits: at least 30 hours
#2

Southwestern College

Winfield, KS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $38,330 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 20 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 53.2 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 96% graduation rate
  • 20 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 53.2 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (20 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (65% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Benedictine College

Atchison, KS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $34,000 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 70% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 8 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 40.9 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 70% graduation rate
  • 8 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 40.9 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (70%), program size (8 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

Butler Community College

El Dorado, KS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $3,090 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 15 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 30.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 15 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 30.3 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

Emporia State University

Emporia, KS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $5,542 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 5 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 98%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 30.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 5 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 30.3 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (98% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$64,638
Starting Salary
$92,340
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
395
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$85,876
+23%

AI Research Scientist opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$85,192

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051
+35%

Data Scientist opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$95,879

NLP Engineer

SOC 15-2051
+23%

NLP Engineer opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$86,523

Computer Vision Engineer opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$83,584

Artificial Intelligence Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Kansas if...
  • You want access to tech jobs in Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park
  • You're seeking lower cost of living (86.8% of US average)
  • You want to work at companies like Garmin or Sprint
  • You prefer Kansas's quality of life
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Kansas's 7)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Artificial Intelligence in Kansas FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 7 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Artificial Intelligence degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

Kansas-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024

Related Resources

Data Sources & Methodology

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Kansas salary data

2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

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