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Kansas Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

Aspiring Kansas teachers must complete a state-approved educator preparation program to qualify for certification. This guide is designed to help you navigate your options for teaching degrees and training programs in Kansas. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools along with carefully curated lists of highly rated and affordable programs to support your search for the best path toward a teaching career in the state.

Table of Contents

KS Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
11 Affordable KS Bachelor’s in Education Programs
Top-Ranked Kansas Education Programs
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education

Comparison of Kansas Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs

The table below compares 24 Kansas teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.

Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Kansas traditional certification guide and our Kansas alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.

State-Approved SchoolCAEP Accred.?1Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Net Price3
Baker UniversityYes942194%———$23,243
Barclay CollegeNo134N.Av.———$23,687
Benedictine CollegeNo1054197%———$27,364
Bethany CollegeNo601780%———$26,040
Bethel CollegeYes551485%———$22,831
Central Christian CollegeNo262N.Av.———$14,258
Emporia State UniversityYes42621082%141091%$14,437
Fort Hays State UniversityYes64718984%46614493%$13,379
Friends UniversityYes911997%———$21,609
Haskell Indian Nations UniversityYes93N.Av.———$2,958
Kansas State UniversityYes103638488%889N.Av.$18,494
Kansas Wesleyan UniversityNo1810N.Av.———$24,196
McPherson CollegeYes369N.Av.———$23,872
MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityYes882781%1——$29,406
Newman UniversityYes1375952%———$18,545
Ottawa UniversityYes1694768%———$27,504
Pittsburg State UniversityYes56817990%975693%$14,006
Southwestern CollegeYes6812N.Av.3——$25,012
Sterling CollegeNo891080%———$24,068
Tabor CollegeNo409N.Av.———$22,940
University of KansasYes66413393%———$20,054
University of Saint MaryYes7711N.Av.———$22,029
Washburn UniversityYes1484892%———$14,198
Wichita State UniversityYes65612383%98221288%$14,357

  • — indicates none or not applicable.
  • N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Kansas

Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 11 most affordable schools have a net price under $22,000.

  1. Haskell Indian Nations University ($2,958)
  2. Fort Hays State University ($13,379)
  3. Pittsburg State University ($14,006)
  4. Washburn University ($14,198)
  5. Central Christian College ($14,258)
  6. Wichita State University ($14,357)
  7. Emporia State University ($14,437)
  8. Kansas State University ($18,494)
  9. Newman University ($18,545)
  10. University of Kansas ($20,054)
  11. Friends University ($21,609)3

Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Kansas

Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Kansas

Our list of the top seven bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.

  • Benedictine College (97%)
  • Friends University (97%)
  • Baker University (94%)
  • University of Kansas (93%)
  • Washburn University (92%)
  • Pittsburg State University (90%)
  • Kansas State University (88%)2

Schools With Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The nine Kansas schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

  • Barton County Community College
  • Butler Community College
  • Dodge City Community College
  • Fort Hays State University*
  • Fort Scott Community College
  • Haskell Indian Nations University*
  • Highland Community College
  • Independence Community College
  • Washburn University*

References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/