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Key Takeaways
Best database administration degree programs: Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, Emporia State
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,432 to $31,900/year
Barton County Community C... offers the most affordable option at $2,432/yr
Database Administration degree programs available: 1 associate's, 3 master's in Kansas
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
3 online database administration degree programs in Kansas
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Kansas community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
1 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
Database Administration 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 Database Administration programs
We rank 7 accredited database administration 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 Database Administration Degree Programs in Kansas Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Database Administration Degree Rankings in Kansas
Compare the top-ranked Database Administration programs in Kansas by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Database Administration Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 1 accredited associate's degree programs in database administration, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include 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 $2,432/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 database administration schools in Kansas, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their database administration degrees in Kansas.
Best Bachelor's Database Administration Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas ranks among the nation's top destinations for database administration education, with 3 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 3 public and 0 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Fort Hays State, Pittsburg State, Emporia State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Kansas database administration 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 $6,128 annually, with an average of $5,369/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 0%, with the highest reaching -Infinity%. 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 database administration degrees in Kansas, these top-ranked database administration schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Best Master's Database Administration Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 3 master's degree programs in database administration, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, Ottawa University-Kansas ..., Ottawa University-Online, Ottawa University-Ottawa, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Kansas earn a median salary of $92,340, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Kansas City, Wichita, Overland Park creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Garmin, Sprint, Cerner actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $18,617/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Kansas's database administration schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Database Administration Degree Costs & Tuition in Kansas
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $10,627/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $26,568/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,657/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $63,764 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $15,940 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Database Administration Students in Kansas
State Aid Programs
Students pursuing database administration degrees in Kansas have access to multiple layers of financial aid designed to make higher education affordable. The federal government offers grants, loans, and work-study through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at (Federal Student Aid). Kansas students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal Pell Grants, which don't require repayment, and federal student loans with favorable interest rates and flexible repayment options.
Key Programs & Amounts
Kansas offers additional support through the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, a need-based state grant program specifically designed for students attending Kansas independent institutions (Kansas Board of Regents). This program complements federal aid and helps reduce out-of-pocket costs. Beyond state and federal aid, institutions across Kansas, from the University of Kansas to Emporia State University, offer institutional scholarships and merit-based awards for database administration students. Many schools also provide graduate assistantships for master's degree candidates, which often include tuition coverage and stipends. Students should contact their institution's financial aid office directly to explore all available scholarships, work-study positions, and payment plans tailored to database administration programs.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator, Kansas
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a database administration 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.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a database administration 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
Database Administration 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 Database Administration Graduates in Kansas
Find database administration jobs in Kansas. These major employers across Kansas metro areas are actively hiring database administration degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Database Administration Jobs in Overland Park
KSDatabase Administration Jobs in Wichita
KSTransfer Pathways for Database Administration Degrees in Kansas
State Transfer System
Kansas provides a structured transfer system helping progression from associate to bachelor's degree programs. The Kansas Transfer Equivalency System establishes systemwide course transfer agreements, ensuring credits earned at community colleges directly apply toward bachelor's degrees (Kansas Transfer Equivalency System). With 6 associate degree programs and 10 bachelor's-granting institutions offering database administration, students can begin their education affordably at two-year institutions like Butler Community College ($3,090 tuition) and Barton County Community College ($2,432 tuition), then seamlessly transfer to four-year universities (Kansas Board of Regents).
How Transfers Work
Specific transfer pathways connect community colleges throughout Kansas to major university partners. Students completing associate degrees in database-related fields can transition to bachelor's programs at Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, or Emporia State University without losing coursework. Many institutions provide dedicated transfer advisors and articulation agreements detailing exactly which courses transfer and how they apply to degree requirements. The Kansas Comprehensive Grant extends need-based financial aid to students at independent institutions, supporting transfer students' completion (Kansas Comprehensive Grant). Explore information systems in Kansas for additional four-year pathways and consult national online programs for flexible completion options.
Why Pursue a Database Administration Degree in Kansas?
Industry & Workforce
Kansas offers a strong pathway into database administration with 19 institutions currently offering programs across associate, bachelor, and master degree levels (IPEDS). The state's higher education landscape includes 10 bachelor's-granting institutions and 6 associate degree programs, providing flexible entry points for students at all academic levels. With 71 bachelor's degree completions annually and strong regional tech hubs in Wichita, Kansas City, and Lawrence, graduates find immediate employment opportunities in growing markets (College Scorecard).
Salary Outlook
Kansas excels in affordability compared to national averages. Public four-year institutions charge an average in-state tuition of $7,625, significantly below national costs (Kansas Board of Regents). Top-ranked programs like Wichita State University ($7,247 tuition, 87.2% graduation rate) and Emporia State University ($5,542 tuition) demonstrate that quality education need not be expensive. Major employers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Koch Industries actively recruit database professionals throughout the state, making Kansas an attractive destination for career-focused students. Explore national best database administration programs and related fields like data analytics to understand competitive advantage.
Database Administration Program Availability in Kansas
Source: IPEDS 2024
Database Administration Job Market & Salary Data in Kansas
Employment Outlook
Kansas offers a growing and stable job market for database administration professionals across its major metropolitan areas. The state's tech sector is concentrated in key regions including the Kansas City Metro, Wichita, and Topeka, where major employers actively recruit skilled database administrators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational data for Kansas provides valuable insights into salary ranges and employment trends for IT professionals. The state's average public in-state tuition for four-year institutions is $7,625, making it affordable for students to gain the credentials needed to enter this competitive field.
Salaries by Metro
Database administration programs in Kansas have demonstrated strong completion rates, with 71 completions at the bachelor's level and 22 completions at the master's level according to the most recent IPEDS data. Fort Hays State University leads the state with 50 completions in database administration, followed by Ottawa University-Kansas City with 19 completions and Pittsburg State University with 15 completions. These completion numbers reflect the demand for trained professionals in the field. For detailed job outlook information and salary data specific to your desired role, prospective students should consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and compare regional opportunities across Kansas's major employment hubs. Related programs in Database Management in Kansas and Data Analytics in Kansas offer complementary career pathways for those interested in data-related professions.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Database Administration Programs in Kansas
Online Programs
3 available in Kansas
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Database Administration Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 5
- Median Tuition
- $6,500
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $8,300
- Total Programs
- 3
- Median Tuition
- $6,600
- Total Programs
- 10
- Median Tuition
- $13,900
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $11,800
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 47
- Median Tuition
- $7,700
- Total Programs
- 65
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Database Administration Degree Programs in Kansas: FAQ
What are the best database administration degree programs in Kansas?
How much do database administration degree programs cost in Kansas?
What salary can database administration degree graduates earn in Kansas?
Are there online database administration degree programs in Kansas?
What companies hire database administration degree graduates in Kansas?
Is a database administration degree program worth it in Kansas?
How long do database administration degree programs take in Kansas?
What financial aid is available for database administration 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.
