Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Kansas:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs. We also consulted our ranking of the best overall online colleges.
The Best Online Colleges in Kansas
1. Kansas State University
Kansas State University is one of the first universities established in Kansas, dating back to 1863. It's a land-grant and space-grant institution with over 20,000 students enrolled, and more than 100 degree programs. The school is home to a number of research institutions, including the facility which created the laser used in LASIK eye surgery.
Kansas State University's Global Campus offers a variety of baccalaureate, master's, doctoral and certificate programs. Bachelor's degrees include animal science and dietetics. Master's degree options include chemical engineering and food science. Doctoral degree offerings include financial planning, while certifications include statistics and horticultural therapy.
Online student resources include technical support, academic advising, an online writing center, veterans, services, stress management services, career and employment services, financial counseling and an online library with librarian live chat, interlibrary services and numerous databases.
Kansas State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Kansas State University ranks among The 100 Best Online Colleges for 2018.
2. Fort Hays State University
With more than 11,000 students in attendance, Fort Hays State University is one of the largest members of the Kansas Board of Regents. Over 6,000 students attend the university online, accounting for more than half of the student body. The campus contains a natural history museum and 4 academic colleges offering over 80 degree programs.
Fort Hays State University offers a number of associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs entirely online. Online associate's degrees include applied technology and general studies. Online bachelor's degree options include majors in business and information technology. Master's degree offerings available online include counseling and nursing. Online certifications include geoscience and philosophy.
Resources available to online students include military and veteran's services, technical support, disability services, online tutoring in a plethora of subjects, employment assistance and a vast online library.
Fort Hays State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Fort Hays State University ranks among The 100 Best Online Colleges for 2018.
3. Ottawa University
Ottawa University, established in 1865, is a Christian university with over 7,000 students in attendance, most of which are online. In the past, the university worked closely with the Ottawa Native American tribe to form a school to benefit the Ottawas and their children. The school was originally going to be a boarding school, but war and poor management threatened to ruin the school. The school endured, eventually growing into the university it is now. The Ottawa tribe is still vital to the growth and survival of the university to this day.
Ottawa University has a diverse array of online baccalaureate and master degree programs. Online bachelor's degree programs include finance, education, English and nursing, while online master's degree programs include human resources, counseling, education intervention and curriculum and instruction.
Online student resources include disability services and an online library. Ottawa University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Ottawa University received honorable mention among The Best Online Colleges for 2018.
4. University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is among the largest universities in the state. The main campus sits on Mount Oread. The university has additional campuses located throughout the area. The university includes 5 academic colleges, teaches over 25,000 students and offers 340+ academic programs.
The University of Kansas offers several baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate degree programs online. Bachelor's degree programs include several topics in healthcare. Master's degree options include business and teaching. Doctoral degree offerings include nursing, while certifications include communication and autism studies.
Online student resources include online tutoring, disability services, academic advising, an online writing center and an online library with the ability to consult a librarian via email, text message or chat.
The University of Kansas is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5. Wichita State University
Wichita State University, a public research university established in 1895, is one of the largest universities administered by the Kansas Board of Regents. Formerly a Christian university, the City of Wichita purchased the school in 1926. The school offers over 200 areas of study spanning 6 academic colleges to its more than 15,000 students.
Wichita State University offers a number of associate, baccalaureate and master degrees online. Online associate's degrees include humanities and mathematics. Online bachelor's degree options include nursing and criminal justice. Master's degree offerings available online include aging studies and instructional design.
Resources available to online students include online test proctoring and an online library with librarian live chat and several electronic databases.
Wichita State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
6. Baker University
Baker University, the oldest university in Kansas, is a Methodist university founded in 1858. It contains four academic schools, has more than 3,000 students in attendance and has one of the largest MBA programs in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The university was intended to be an academic safe haven amidst the remnants of the Civil War.
Baker University has several online associate, baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Associate's degrees include business, bachelor's degree options include criminal justice and mass media, master's degree offerings include liberal arts and organizational leadership, and certifications include marketing and online teaching.
Resources available to online students include an online library with access to a wide variety of online journals and scholarly article databases.
Baker University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7. Southwestern College
Southwestern College, a Methodist college established in 1885, teaches over 2,000 students and offers them more than 40 degree programs. The diversity of these programs occurred in part to the college's absorption of the Winfield College of Music in 1926. In 1994, Southwestern College opened its Professional Studies Center, home to its online program.
Southwestern College offers a diverse array of online baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs through its Professional Studies Center. Online bachelor's degrees include strategic leadership and security management. Online master's degree options include numerous topics in education and business. Online doctoral degrees include education, while certifications available online include Lean Six Sigma and enterprise risk management.
Online student resources include an online writing center, academic success center, technical support, career services and an online library with librarian live chat.
Southwestern College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
8. Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, founded in 1903, has more than 7,000 students in attendance, roughly 20% of whom are from outside of the country. The university offers more than 230 degree programs across 4 academic colleges: arts and science, business, education, and technology.
Pittsburg State University's online program awards a variety of baccalaureate, master's and certificate programs online. Bachelor's degree options include workforce development and nursing, master's degree programs include engineering and technology and certifications include multiple topics in education, including TESOL and autism spectrum disorders.
Resources available to online students include an online writing center and an online library with librarian live chat and a wide variety of journal and scholarly article databases.
Pittsburg State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
9. Emporia State University
Emporia State University, established in 1863, is one of the oldest universities in the state and one of the universities under the Kansas Board of Regents. The university's first graduating class consisted of two women, Ellen Plumb and Mary Watson. The university offers more than 80 degree programs across 4 academic colleges and teach over 6,000 students.
Emporia State University offers a variety of baccalaureate, master and doctoral programs online. Online bachelor's degrees include interdisciplinary studies. Online master's degree options include business administration and history. Online doctoral degree offerings include a hybrid library and information management program.
Resources available to students online include reading, writing and mathematics tutoring, disability services, technical support, an online job board and an online library with librarian live chat as well as access to several scholarly article and journal databases.
Emporia State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
10. Friends University
Friends University is a non-denominational Christian university founded in 1898. The Davis Administration Building, the university's main hall, was originally supposed to be for Garfield University, but was later donated to the Quaker Religious Society of Friends by a local businessman after Garfield University closed in 1893. The university offers a variety of degrees to over 2,500 students.
Online bachelor's degrees include human resources, computer information systems and organizational leadership, while online master's degrees include teaching, business administration and health care.
Online student resources include an online job board, writing help via email and an online library with access to scholarly articles, journals, ebooks, CDs and DVDs.