Top 3 Data Science Programs in Kansas 2025
Wichita State University
275 data science graduates annually, 87% graduation rate
Southwestern College
20 data science graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
Benedictine College
8 data science graduates annually, 70% graduation rate
- 1.Kansas offers 7+ accredited data science 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)
Data Science Education in Kansas: Overview
Kansas offers 7 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 336 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 data science 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 Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | Public | $7,247 | 87% | 74 |
| 2 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | Private | $38,330 | 96% | 53.2 |
| 3 | Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | Private | $34,000 | 70% | 40.9 |
| 4 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | Public | $9,964 | — | 36.7 |
| 5 | Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | Public | $3,090 | — | 30.3 |
| 6 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | Private | $33,200 | — | 29.8 |
| 7 | Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | Public | $2,432 | — | 27.6 |
Top 5 Data Science Programs in Kansas: Side-by-Side
| School | Wichita State | Southwestern College | Benedictine College | Kansas State | Butler Community College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,247 | $38,330 | $34,000 | $9,964 | $3,090 |
| Graduation Rate | 87% | 96% | 70% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 275 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 15 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95% | 65% | 76% | 79% | N/A |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 74.0/100 | 53.2/100 | 40.9/100 | 36.7/100 | 30.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Kansas
Kansas offers 5 bachelor's-level data science 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 data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Wichita State | $7,247 | 87% | 71 | 68.2 |
| #2 Southwestern College | $38,330 | 96% | 20 | 53.2 |
| #3 Benedictine College | $34,000 | 70% | 8 | 40.9 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Kansas
For graduate study, Kansas offers 2 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include Wichita State University, Kansas 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 data science master's programs for more options beyond Kansas.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Wichita State | $7,247 | 87% | 275 | 74.0 |
| #2 Kansas State | $9,964 | N/A% | 4 | 33.6 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Kansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in Kansas are at Barton County Community College ($2,432/year), Butler Community College ($3,090/year), Wichita State University ($7,247/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 Data Science Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Kansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #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 Wichita State | $7,247 | $28,988 | 1 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Data Science Schools in Kansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science 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.
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,247 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 87% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 275 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 95%
- • Ranking Score: 74.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 275 data science 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.
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $38,330 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 20 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 65%
- • Ranking Score: 53.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 20 data science 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.
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $34,000 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 70% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 40.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 70% graduation rate
- 8 data science 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.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,964 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 12 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 79%
- • Ranking Score: 36.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 12 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 36.7 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (12 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (79% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,090 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 15 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 30.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 15 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 30.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 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.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
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Data Analyst
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Machine Learning Engineer
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Quantitative Analyst
SOC 15-2051Quantitative Analyst opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- 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
- 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
Data Science in Kansas FAQ
Based on 7 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
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
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.