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Key Takeaways
Best ux design degree programs: U of Kansas, Wichita State, Southwestern College
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,380 to $38,330/year
Johnson County Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,400/yr
UX Design degree programs available: 3 associate's, 1 master's in Kansas
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
Kansas community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
3 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
UX Design 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 UX Design programs
We rank 8 accredited ux design 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 UX Design Degree Programs in Kansas Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
UX Design Degree Rankings in Kansas
Compare the top-ranked UX Design programs in Kansas by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's UX Design Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 3 accredited associate's degree programs in ux design, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Johnson County Community ..., Allen County Community Co..., Hutchinson Community College, 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 $2,563/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 ux design schools in Kansas, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their ux design degrees in Kansas.
Best Bachelor's UX Design Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas ranks among the nation's top destinations for ux design education, with 4 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Kansas, Wichita State, Southwestern College, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Kansas ux design 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 $7,247 to $38,330 annually, with an average of $21,493/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 88%, 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 ux design degrees in Kansas, these top-ranked ux design schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Best Master's UX Design Programs in Kansas
Program Landscape
Kansas offers 1 master's degree programs in ux design, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Kansas, 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 $10,596/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 ux design schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
UX Design Degree Costs & Tuition in Kansas
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $13,380/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $33,450/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,345/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $80,280 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $20,070 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for UX Design Students in Kansas
State Aid Programs
Kansas students pursuing UX Design degrees have access to multiple layers of financial support, starting with federal aid programs available through Federal Student Aid. All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Kansas residents attending independent institutions benefit from the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, a need-based aid program administered by the Kansas Board of Regents that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. These grants complement federal Pell Grants and federal student loans, creating a comprehensive financial aid ecosystem for UX Design students across the state.
Key Programs & Amounts
Individual Kansas institutions offering UX Design programs often provide institutional scholarships and merit-based awards tailored to design and technology students. The University of Kansas and Wichita State University, the state's top UX Design producers, maintain dedicated scholarship portfolios for incoming and continuing students. Community college students beginning their education at institutions like Johnson County Community College can leverage the Kansas Transfer Equivalency System to move seamlessly into four-year programs while minimizing duplication of coursework, a strategy that reduces overall degree costs. For comprehensive guidance on federal aid, visit StudentAid.gov, which provides loan calculators and award letters for all Kansas institutions. Additionally, explore opportunities in related fields like Web Development in Kansas and Information Technology in Kansas to understand broader scholarship landscapes in technology education.
UX Design Degree ROI Calculator, Kansas
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a ux design 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.
UX Design Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a ux design degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+592%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,094,847
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
6 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$104,762
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
UX Design 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 UX Design Graduates in Kansas
Find ux design jobs in Kansas. These major employers across Kansas metro areas are actively hiring ux design degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
UX Design Jobs in Overland Park
KSUX Design Jobs in Wichita
KSTransfer Pathways for UX Design Degrees in Kansas
State Transfer System
Kansas offers a well-established transfer ecosystem designed to help students move seamlessly from community colleges to four-year universities. The Kansas Transfer Equivalency System provides systemwide course transfer agreements that guarantee course-to-course recognition across participating institutions, eliminating lost credits and redundant coursework. Students completing an associate degree in UX Design at one of Kansas's 4 community college programs, including the top-ranked Johnson County Community College (25 completions), can confidently transfer their credits toward a bachelor's degree at institutions like University of Kansas or Wichita State University.
How Transfers Work
Community colleges such as Johnson County Community College ($2,400 tuition), Butler Community College ($3,090 tuition), and Barton County Community College ($2,432 tuition) serve as affordable entry points into UX Design. These programs focus on core design skills and foundational coursework that align directly with upper-level bachelor's courses, enabling students to save significant tuition costs while building a strong design portfolio. Many transfer students gain additional competitive advantage through internships and industry connections established during their community college studies.
Transfer Planning Tips
The transfer system also supports students in Web Development and Information Technology disciplines, allowing for flexible pathway combinations. The Kansas Board of Regents administers the transfer agreement system, and students can access detailed articulation agreements on their websites. Federal financial aid, managed through studentaid.gov, continues to flow across transfer transitions, and additional support is available through the Kansas Comprehensive Grant for eligible students at independent Kansas institutions.
Why Pursue an UX Design Degree in Kansas?
Industry & Workforce
Kansas offers a strong and accessible pathway into user experience design through 10 institutions offering dedicated UX Design programs (IPEDS). The state's higher education landscape includes 5 bachelor's-granting institutions and 4 associate degree programs, producing 102 bachelor's completions and 27 associate's completions annually (IPEDS). This breadth of options means students can find programs suited to their budget, timeline, and career goals, whether pursuing a quick two-year credential or a comprehensive four-year degree.
Salary Outlook
Kansas's major metropolitan areas. Wichita, Kansas City, and the greater Topeka region, host thriving tech sectors anchored by employers like Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, creating direct pathways to employment after graduation. Tuition affordability is a significant advantage: the average public in-state tuition for four-year institutions stands at just $7,625, compared to the national average (College Scorecard). Leading programs like the University of Kansas (58 completions) and Wichita State University (41 completions) rank among the nation's best, offering competitive education without the premium price tag of coastal programs. For students exploring related fields, Kansas also offers Web Development, Game Development, and Mobile Development programs.
UX Design Program Availability in Kansas
Source: IPEDS 2024
UX Design Job Market & Salary Data in Kansas
Employment Outlook
Kansas offers a growing UX design job market supported by a diverse employer base across multiple metropolitan regions. Major hiring centers include the Kansas City Metro, Wichita, and Topeka areas, where companies spanning aerospace, technology, and corporate sectors actively recruit UX professionals. The state's employment landscape reflects broader digital transformation trends, with organizations increasingly investing in user experience roles to remain competitive. For current wage and employment data specific to Kansas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed occupational information for design and related professions.
Salaries by Metro
Kansas hosts 10 institutions offering UX design programs across associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels, with 129 total completions recorded in recent years (IPEDS Data). The state's public four-year institutions maintain an average in-state tuition of $7,625, making Kansas an affordable destination for UX design education compared to national averages. University of Kansas and Wichita State University lead completion rates with 58 and 41 graduates respectively, establishing strong regional talent pipelines. Students interested in exploring related design and technology fields should review web development opportunities in Kansas and game development programs for complementary career pathways.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus UX Design Programs in Kansas
Online Programs
2 available in Kansas
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare UX Design Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $19,900
- Total Programs
- 6
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 7
- Median Tuition
- $3,900
- Total Programs
- 65
- Median Tuition
- $6,200
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $4,200
- Total Programs
- 32
- Median Tuition
- $8,800
- Total Programs
- 61
- Median Tuition
- $19,000
UX Design Degree Programs in Kansas: FAQ
What are the best ux design degree programs in Kansas?
How much do ux design degree programs cost in Kansas?
What salary can ux design degree graduates earn in Kansas?
Are there online ux design degree programs in Kansas?
What companies hire ux design degree graduates in Kansas?
Is an ux design degree program worth it in Kansas?
How long do ux design degree programs take in Kansas?
What financial aid is available for ux design 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.