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Key Takeaways
Best software engineering degree programs: Wichita State, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,100 to $38,330/year
Johnson County Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,400/yr
Software Engineering degree programs available: 6 associate's, 3 master's in Kansas
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
3 online software engineering degree programs in Kansas
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Kansas community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
6 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
Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering programs
We rank 16 accredited software engineering 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 Software Engineering Degree Programs in Kansas Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Software Engineering Degree Rankings in Kansas
Compare the top-ranked Software Engineering programs in Kansas by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Software Engineering Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 6 accredited associate's degree programs in software engineering, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Johnson County Community ..., Butler Community College, 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 $4,687/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 software engineering schools in Kansas, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their software engineering degrees in Kansas.
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka, KS | For-Profit | $13,137 | — | 37.3 |
Best Bachelor's Software Engineering Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas ranks among the nation's top destinations for software engineering education, with 7 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 4 public and 3 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Wichita State, Southwestern College, Fort Hays State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Kansas software engineering 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 $38,330 annually, with an average of $19,682/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 83%, with the highest reaching 96%. 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 software engineering degrees in Kansas, these top-ranked software engineering schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Kansas State University
Show all 7 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Benedictine College | Atchison, KS | Private | $34,000 | 70% | 40.9 |
| #7 | Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | Private | $33,200 | — | 29.7 |
Best Master's Software Engineering Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 3 master's degree programs in software engineering, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, Wichita State, U of Kansas, Kansas State, 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 $9,269/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 software engineering schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Kansas State University
Software Engineering Degree Costs & Tuition in Kansas
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $12,761/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $31,903/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,190/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $76,568 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $19,142 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Software Engineering Students in Kansas
State Aid Programs
Kansas students pursuing software engineering degrees have access to multiple layers of financial support. At the federal level, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA determines eligibility for Pell Grants and Direct Loans, which are available to eligible students regardless of institution type. Additionally, Kansas offers the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, a need-based grant program specifically designed to support students attending Kansas independent institutions (Kansas Board of Regents). This state-level aid complements federal programs and can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for qualifying families.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal programs, individual Kansas institutions offer institutional scholarships and merit-based aid packages. Public universities like Wichita State University and Kansas State University frequently feature merit scholarships for software engineering majors, while community colleges such as Johnson County Community College provide affordable entry points with lower tuition barriers. Students should complete the FAFSA early and contact financial aid offices directly to inquire about program-specific scholarships. Many four-year institutions also participate in the Kansas Transfer Equivalency System, which allows students to transfer credits from community colleges without losing aid eligibility. For comprehensive aid planning, the College Scorecard provides institution-specific data on average aid packages and net price for enrolled students.
Software Engineering Degree ROI Calculator, Kansas
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a software engineering 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.
Software Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a software engineering 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
Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering Graduates in Kansas
Find software engineering jobs in Kansas. These major employers across Kansas metro areas are actively hiring software engineering degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Software Engineering Jobs in Overland Park
KSSoftware Engineering Jobs in Wichita
KSTransfer Pathways for Software Engineering Degrees in Kansas
State Transfer System
Kansas provides strong pathways for students to begin their software engineering education at community colleges and transfer seamlessly to bachelor's degree programs. The state's 9 associate's degree programs (IPEDS) at institutions like Johnson County Community College, Butler Community College, and Barton County Community College offer affordable entry points, with tuition as low as $2,400 at Johnson County Community College. These two-year programs provide foundational coursework in programming, data structures, and mathematics that directly articulate to four-year institutions. The Kansas Transfer Equivalency System provides systemwide course transfer agreements, ensuring credits earned at community colleges apply toward bachelor's degrees at universities like Wichita State University, University of Kansas, and Kansas State University (Kansas Board of Regents).
How Transfers Work
Transfer students benefit from structured articulation agreements that eliminate duplicate coursework and reduce time-to-degree. Many Kansas community colleges have formal partnerships with four-year institutions, allowing students to graduate with an associate's degree and transition directly into junior-level coursework at bachelor's degree-granting schools. This pathway is particularly valuable for students seeking to reduce education costs, combining $2,400–$4,960 community college tuition with transfer to universities averaging $7,625–$9,964 in-state tuition represents significant savings compared to four-year enrollment. For detailed articulation information and course equivalency mappings, students should consult the Kansas Transfer Equivalency System and contact their target transfer institution. Explore computer science in Kansas for complementary transfer-friendly programs and national best programs to identify highly-ranked transfer destinations.
Why Pursue a Software Engineering Degree in Kansas?
Industry & Workforce
Kansas offers a strong pathway into software engineering with 22 institutions across the state offering programs at multiple degree levels (IPEDS). Students can choose from 10 bachelor's programs, 9 associate's programs, and 3 master's programs, with a combined 278 master's completions and 248 bachelor's completions annually (IPEDS). The state's affordability stands out: average public in-state tuition for four-year institutions is just $7,625, compared to the national landscape, making Kansas an accessible entry point for aspiring software engineers. Leading institutions like Wichita State University and University of Kansas consistently rank among the nation's best programs while maintaining competitive tuition rates.
Salary Outlook
Kansas is home to major technology employers and innovation hubs that create strong career opportunities for graduates. The state's metro areas, particularly the Kansas City Metro, Wichita, and Topeka, host significant employers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Koch Industries, providing internship and employment pipelines directly from campus. Wichita State University leads the state with 357 completions, followed by Fort Hays State University with 82 completions, demonstrating the depth of talent development across the state (IPEDS). For students seeking affordability without sacrificing quality, Kansas delivers exceptional value. Explore national best bachelor's programs to benchmark Kansas schools against peers, and review computer science programs in Kansas for complementary educational pathways.
Software Engineering Program Availability in Kansas
Source: IPEDS 2024
Software Engineering Job Market & Salary Data in Kansas
Employment Outlook
Kansas hosts a growing software engineering job market driven by demand from aerospace, defense, and technology sectors. The state's major metropolitan areas. Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka, serve as regional hubs for software development careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas employers across these metros actively recruit software engineers for roles in enterprise software development, embedded systems, and cloud infrastructure. Wichita, in particular, benefits from its proximity to major aerospace contractors and defense manufacturers, creating a strong demand for skilled software professionals in safety-critical and real-time systems.
Salaries by Metro
The Kansas software engineering pipeline is supported by 22 institutions offering programs at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels, with 248 bachelor's completions annually (IPEDS Program Data). Wichita State University leads the state with 357 total completions across all degree levels, making it a primary talent source for regional employers. Kansas also benefits from an affordable education landscape, with average public in-state tuition at four-year institutions at just $7,625, significantly lower than the national average. This affordability attracts students from across the region and helps build a competitive local workforce. For detailed salary expectations and job growth projections specific to Kansas, visit the College Scorecard and BLS occupational data.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Software Engineering Programs in Kansas
Online Programs
3 available in Kansas
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Software Engineering Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $8,000
- Total Programs
- 35
- Median Tuition
- $13,000
- Total Programs
- 17
- Median Tuition
- $6,600
- Total Programs
- 22
- Median Tuition
- $12,100
- Total Programs
- 200
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 52
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 90
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
- Total Programs
- 119
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Software Engineering Degree Programs in Kansas: FAQ
What are the best software engineering degree programs in Kansas?
How much do software engineering degree programs cost in Kansas?
What salary can software engineering degree graduates earn in Kansas?
Are there online software engineering degree programs in Kansas?
What companies hire software engineering degree graduates in Kansas?
Is a software engineering degree program worth it in Kansas?
How long do software engineering degree programs take in Kansas?
What financial aid is available for software engineering 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.