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Key Takeaways
Best computer programming degree programs: Wichita State, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,100 to $38,330/year
Johnson County Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,400/yr
Computer Programming degree programs available: 5 associate's, 2 master's in Kansas
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
1 online computer programming degree programs in Kansas
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Kansas community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
5 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Garmin, Sprint, Cerner, Koch Industries
Tech hubs in Kansas City and Wichita
Hakia Research 2026
Computer Programming degree programs near 44+ cities across Kansas
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Kansas Computer Programming programs
We rank 12 accredited computer programming programs in Kansas using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Computer Programming Degree Programs in Kansas Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Computer Programming Degree Rankings in Kansas
Compare the top-ranked Computer Programming programs in Kansas by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Computer Programming Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 5 accredited associate's degree programs in computer programming, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Johnson County Community ..., Butler Community College, Barton County Community C..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Kansas offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $2,996/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $50,787 in Kansas.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Kansas's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Garmin, Sprint, Cerner hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among computer programming schools in Kansas, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their computer programming degrees in Kansas.
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Best Bachelor's Computer Programming Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas ranks among the nation's top destinations for computer programming education, with 5 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 3 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Wichita State, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Kansas computer programming programs earn a median salary of $78,489, 20% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Garmin, Sprint, Cerner.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $4,437 to $38,330 annually, with an average of $23,443/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 85%, with the highest reaching 96%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Kansas's leading technology employers. For students seeking computer programming degrees in Kansas, these top-ranked computer programming schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Computer Programming Degree Costs & Tuition in Kansas
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $12,924/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $32,310/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,231/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $77,544 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $19,386 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Computer Programming Students in Kansas
State Aid Programs
Kansas students pursuing computer programming degrees have access to multiple layers of financial aid. The federal government offers grants, loans, and work-study programs through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at Federal Student Aid. Additionally, Kansas maintains the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, a need-based grant program specifically designed for students attending Kansas independent institutions. This state-level support complements federal aid and can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize eligibility for both federal and state aid packages. More information on Kansas state financial aid is available through the Kansas Board of Regents.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond grants, many Kansas institutions offering computer programming degrees provide institutional scholarships and merit-based aid. Public universities like Wichita State University and Kansas State University often have competitive scholarship programs for strong students. Community colleges, which serve as affordable entry points, frequently offer additional aid to reduce their already-low tuition costs. Prospective students should investigate each institution's financial aid office for school-specific scholarships. Explore our most affordable computer programming programs rankings to compare aid packages and total cost of attendance across Kansas schools. Remember that financial aid can include tuition waivers, assistantships, and employer sponsorships, especially in high-demand fields like computer programming.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator, Kansas
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree in Kansas. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Computer Programming Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Kansas metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $102K |
| Wichita | $97K |
| Overland Park | $92K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Computer Programming Graduates in Kansas
Find computer programming jobs in Kansas. These major employers across Kansas metro areas are actively hiring computer programming degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Computer Programming Jobs in Overland Park
KSComputer Programming Jobs in Wichita
KSTransfer Pathways for Computer Programming Degrees in Kansas
State Transfer System
Kansas provides structured pathways for students to transfer from two-year to four-year computer programming programs through the Kansas Transfer Equivalency System. This statewide system, maintained by the Kansas Board of Regents, establishes course equivalencies and articulation agreements that streamline credit transfer across institutions. Students completing an associate degree in computer programming at one of Kansas's 28 two-year institutions can transfer credits directly to four-year universities, reducing duplication and accelerating degree completion. The Kansas Transfer Equivalency System ensures that coursework completed at community colleges is recognized and counted toward bachelor's degree requirements, making it an efficient and cost-effective pathway.
How Transfers Work
Top associate degree institutions like Johnson County Community College (24 completions), Butler Community College (16 completions), and Barton County Community College serve as primary feeders to four-year programs. Students beginning at these institutions benefit from lower tuition costs. Johnson County Community College charges just $2,400 annually, before transferring to universities like Wichita State University or Kansas State University to complete bachelor's degrees. This two-plus-two model allows students to save significantly on education costs while maintaining academic momentum. For students seeking bachelor's pathways from the start, explore Best Bachelor's Rankings. Financial aid information and transfer planning resources are available through the Kansas Comprehensive Grant program for those attending eligible institutions.
Why Pursue a Computer Programming Degree in Kansas?
Industry & Workforce
Kansas offers a strong computer programming education landscape with 18 institutions delivering specialized degree programs across associate, bachelor, and master levels (IPEDS). The state produced 529 total program completions in 2023, demonstrating strong workforce development in this high-demand field. Among Kansas's 34 four-year institutions, eight focus specifically on computer programming, while 28 two-year institutions provide accessible pathways for students beginning their education at the associate level. This diversity of options means prospective students can find programs suited to their academic goals and financial circumstances.
Salary Outlook
Kansas's major metropolitan areas, particularly Wichita, Kansas City, and the surrounding regions, host significant technology employers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Koch Industries, creating direct pathways from education to employment. The state's average public four-year in-state tuition of $7,625 ranks among the nation's most affordable options, with leading institutions like Wichita State University charging just $7,247 annually (College Scorecard). Top-ranked programs such as the University of Kansas and Kansas State University provide excellent academic quality without prohibitive costs. Students interested in related fields should explore Software Engineering in Kansas and Web Development in Kansas for complementary career paths.
Computer Programming Program Availability in Kansas
Source: IPEDS 2024
Computer Programming Job Market & Salary Data in Kansas
Employment Outlook
Kansas maintains a strong computer programming job market anchored by strong employment centers in Wichita, Kansas City, and Topeka. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state supports diverse career opportunities across multiple sectors, from aerospace to technology services. The job market has been buoyed by significant employer presence in South Central Kansas and the Kansas City Metro region, where demand for skilled programmers remains consistently high. Students completing computer programming degrees in Kansas find competitive positions in both established corporations and emerging tech firms throughout the state.
Salaries by Metro
Higher education institutions in Kansas are producing 276 master's degree completions and 203 bachelor's degree completions annually in computer programming, according to IPEDS data. This steady pipeline of talent supports regional economic development across multiple metros. Job seekers should consult the College Scorecard for institution-specific employment outcomes and earnings data. Prospective students exploring computer programming careers may also want to examine related fields, explore Software Engineering in Kansas and Web Development in Kansas for complementary career pathways in the state's growing tech sector.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Computer Programming Programs in Kansas
Online Programs
1 available in Kansas
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Computer Programming Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $8,000
- Total Programs
- 34
- Median Tuition
- $11,700
- Total Programs
- 15
- Median Tuition
- $6,600
- Total Programs
- 18
- Median Tuition
- $13,900
- Total Programs
- 193
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 51
- Median Tuition
- $4,600
- Total Programs
- 75
- Median Tuition
- $6,800
- Total Programs
- 111
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Computer Programming Degree Programs in Kansas: FAQ
What are the best computer programming degree programs in Kansas?
How much do computer programming degree programs cost in Kansas?
What salary can computer programming degree graduates earn in Kansas?
Are there online computer programming degree programs in Kansas?
What companies hire computer programming degree graduates in Kansas?
Is a computer programming degree program worth it in Kansas?
How long do computer programming degree programs take in Kansas?
What financial aid is available for computer programming degree students in Kansas?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Kansas salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.