Kansas university campus representing database administration education
Updated December 2025

Best Database Administration Programs in Kansas: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 7 top accredited database administration 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 Database Administration Programs in Kansas 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KSPublic

50 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$4K
Tuition/yr
54.1
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Ottawa University-Kansas City

Overland Park, KSPrivate

24 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$12K
Tuition/yr
52.3
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KSPublic

15 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$6K
Tuition/yr
41.1
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Kansas offers 7+ accredited database administration programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Fort Hays State University leads with strong% 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)

Database Administration Education in Kansas: Overview

Kansas offers 7 accredited database administration programs, producing approximately 99 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 database administration programs in the state are led by Fort Hays State University, Ottawa University-Kansas City, Pittsburg State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Kansas Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KSPublic$4,437โ€”54.1
2Ottawa University-Kansas CityOverland Park, KSPrivate$11,976โ€”52.3
3Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KSPublic$6,128โ€”41.1
4Ottawa University-OnlineOverland Park, KSPrivate$11,976โ€”40.1
5Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa, KSPrivate$31,90069%37.4
6Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KSPublic$5,542โ€”34.1
7Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend, KSPublic$2,432โ€”27.1

Top 5 Database Administration Programs in Kansas: Side-by-Side

SchoolFort Hays StateOttawa University-Kansas...Pittsburg StateOttawa University-OnlineOttawa University-Ottawa
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$4,437
$11,976
$6,128
$11,976
$31,900
Graduation Rate
N/A%
N/A%
N/A%
N/A%
69%
Annual Graduates
50
24
15
2
1
Acceptance Rate
92%
N/A
88%
N/A
80%
Type
Public
Private
Public
Private
Private
Score
54.1/100
52.3/100
41.1/100
40.1/100
37.4/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in Kansas

Kansas offers 3 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Emporia State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $64,638 in the Kansas market.

A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in Kansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Fort Hays State
$4,437
N/A%
50
54.1
#2 Pittsburg State
$6,128
N/A%
15
41.1
#3 Emporia State
$5,542
N/A%
6
34.1

Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in Kansas

For graduate study, Kansas offers 3 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include Ottawa University-Kansas City, Ottawa University-Online, Ottawa University-Ottawa. 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 database administration master's programs for more options beyond Kansas.

Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in Kansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Ottawa University-Kansas...
$11,976
N/A%
24
52.3
#2 Ottawa University-Online
$11,976
N/A%
2
40.1
#3 Ottawa University-Ottawa
$31,900
69%
1
37.4

Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in Kansas

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in Kansas are at Barton County Community College ($2,432/year), Fort Hays State University ($4,437/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 Database Administration Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in Kansas (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Barton County Community...
$2,432
$9,728
0.3 years
Public
#2 Fort Hays State
$4,437
$17,748
0.6 years
Public
#3 Emporia State
$5,542
$22,168
0.7 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Administration Schools in Kansas

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database administration 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

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $4,437 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 50 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 54.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 50 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 54.1 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (50 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (92% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

Ottawa University-Kansas City

Overland Park, KS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $11,976 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 24 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 52.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 24 database administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 52.3 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (24 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $6,128 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 15 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 41.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 15 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 41.1 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (88% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

Ottawa University-Online

Overland Park, KS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $11,976 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 2 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 40.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 2 database administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 40.1 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa, KS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $31,900 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 69% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 1 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 37.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 69% graduation rate
  • 1 database administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 37.4 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (69%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (80% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$64,638
Starting Salary
$92,340
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
119
Annual Openings

Career Paths

+17%

Software Developer opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$84,698

Systems Analyst

SOC 15-1211
+10%

Systems Analyst opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$95,347

IT Manager

SOC 15-1299
+15%

IT Manager opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$91,656
+15%

Technical Consultant opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$90,898

Database Administrator opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$98,153

Database Administration 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

Database Administration in Kansas FAQ

Ranking Methodology

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

Program Strength35%

Database Administration 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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