Top 3 Game Development Programs in Kansas 2025
Wichita State University
111 game development graduates annually, 87% graduation rate
Southwestern College
45 game development graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
Fort Hays State University
82 game development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Kansas offers 12+ accredited game development 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)
Game Development Education in Kansas: Overview
Kansas offers 12 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 332 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 game development programs in the state are led by Wichita State University, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Kansas Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | Public | $7,247 | 87% | 74 |
| 2 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | Private | $38,330 | 96% | 66.1 |
| 3 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | Public | $4,437 | — | 59.7 |
| 4 | Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | Private | $34,000 | 70% | 44.4 |
| 5 | Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS | Public | $4,960 | — | 41.8 |
| 6 | Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | Public | $2,400 | — | 39.1 |
| 7 | Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | Public | $3,090 | — | 37.4 |
| 8 | Bethany College | Lindsborg, KS | Private | $29,800 | — | 36 |
| 9 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | Public | $9,964 | — | 32.7 |
| 10 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | Private | $33,200 | — | 31.5 |
| 11 | Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | Public | $2,432 | — | 29.3 |
| 12 | Independence Community College | Independence, KS | Public | $2,100 | — | 27.9 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Kansas: Side-by-Side
| School | Wichita State | Southwestern College | Fort Hays State | Benedictine College | Flint Hills Technical... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,247 | $38,330 | $4,437 | $34,000 | $4,960 |
| Graduation Rate | 87% | 96% | N/A% | 70% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 111 | 45 | 82 | 8 | 4 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95% | 65% | 92% | 76% | N/A |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Private | Public |
| Score | 74.0/100 | 66.1/100 | 59.7/100 | 44.4/100 | 41.8/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Kansas
Kansas offers 6 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Wichita State University, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $64,638 in the Kansas market.
A bachelor's in game development typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Game Development Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Game Development Bachelor's Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Wichita State | $7,247 | 87% | 111 | 74.0 |
| #2 Southwestern College | $38,330 | 96% | 45 | 66.1 |
| #3 Fort Hays State | $4,437 | N/A% | 82 | 59.7 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Kansas
For graduate study, Kansas offers 2 master's-level game development 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 game development master's programs for more options beyond Kansas.
Top 3 Game Development 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% | 1 | 32.7 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Kansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Kansas are at Independence Community College ($2,100/year), Johnson County Community College ($2,400/year), Barton County Community College ($2,432/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Kansas's competitive tech salaries.
At Independence Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $8,400 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $64,638, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.3 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Kansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Independence Community... | $2,100 | $8,400 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #2 Johnson County Community... | $2,400 | $9,600 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #3 Barton County Community... | $2,432 | $9,728 | 0.3 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Kansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development 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)
- • Game Development Graduates: 111 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 95%
- • Ranking Score: 74.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 111 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (87%), program size (111 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)
- • Game Development Graduates: 45 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 65%
- • Ranking Score: 66.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 45 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 66.1 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (45 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (65% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,437 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 92%
- • Ranking Score: 59.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 82 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.7 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (82 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (92% 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)
- • Game Development Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 44.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 70% graduation rate
- 8 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 44.4 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 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.
Flint Hills Technical College
Emporia, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,960 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 4 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 41.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 4 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 41.8 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Kansas with strong job growth.
Game Development 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 12)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Game Development in Kansas FAQ
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Game Development 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.