Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Kansas 2025
Wichita State University
276 software engineering graduates annually, 87% graduation rate
Southwestern College
43 software engineering graduates annually, 96% graduation rate
Fort Hays State University
82 software engineering graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Kansas offers 13+ accredited software engineering 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)
Software Engineering Education in Kansas: Overview
Kansas offers 13 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 496 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 software engineering 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 Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | Public | $7,247 | 87% | 74 |
| 2 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | Private | $38,330 | 96% | 57.6 |
| 3 | Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | Public | $4,437 | — | 48.1 |
| 4 | University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS | Public | $10,596 | 79% | 43 |
| 5 | Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | Private | $34,000 | 70% | 40.9 |
| 6 | Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS | Public | $4,960 | — | 39.4 |
| 7 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS | Public | $9,964 | — | 38.6 |
| 8 | Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka, KS | For-Profit | $13,137 | — | 37.3 |
| 9 | Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | Public | $2,400 | — | 31.8 |
| 10 | Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | Public | $3,090 | — | 30.5 |
| 11 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | Private | $33,200 | — | 29.7 |
| 12 | Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | Public | $2,432 | — | 27.6 |
| 13 | Independence Community College | Independence, KS | Public | $2,100 | — | 26.7 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Kansas: Side-by-Side
| School | Wichita State | Southwestern College | Fort Hays State | U of Kansas | Benedictine College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,247 | $38,330 | $4,437 | $10,596 | $34,000 |
| Graduation Rate | 87% | 96% | N/A% | 79% | 70% |
| Annual Graduates | 276 | 43 | 82 | 15 | 8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95% | 65% | 92% | 88% | 76% |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 74.0/100 | 57.6/100 | 48.1/100 | 43.0/100 | 40.9/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Kansas
Kansas offers 7 bachelor's-level software engineering 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 software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Wichita State | $7,247 | 87% | 82 | 70.5 |
| #2 Southwestern College | $38,330 | 96% | 43 | 57.6 |
| #3 Fort Hays State | $4,437 | N/A% | 82 | 48.1 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Kansas
For graduate study, Kansas offers 3 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include Wichita State University, University of Kansas, 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 software engineering master's programs for more options beyond Kansas.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Wichita State | $7,247 | 87% | 276 | 74.0 |
| #2 U of Kansas | $10,596 | 79% | 1 | 36.9 |
| #3 Kansas State | $9,964 | N/A% | 1 | 31.5 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Kansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering 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 Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering Schools in Kansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 276 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 95%
- • Ranking Score: 74.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 87% graduation rate
- 276 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (87%), program size (276 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 43 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 65%
- • Ranking Score: 57.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 43 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 57.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (43 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 82 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 92%
- • Ranking Score: 48.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 82 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 48.1 / 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.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $10,596 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 15 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 88%
- • Ranking Score: 43.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 15 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 43.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($92,340), and selectivity (88% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 40.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 70% graduation rate
- 8 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 40.9 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 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.
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.
Software Engineering 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 13)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in Kansas FAQ
Based on 13 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering 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.