Best Online Education Programs in Hays, KS (2026)
Hays, Kansas has a population of about 21,078. The city’s median household income is $56,861 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering education programs near Hays, with tuition ranging from $32,200 to $44,836 per year for indexed programs. In Kansas, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $105,870 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Hays
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 10 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Hays. Distances are calculated from Hays city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | 45.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sterling College | Sterling, KS | 75.5 mi | $32,200 - $44,836 | – |
| Dodge City Community College | Dodge City, KS | 85.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barclay College | Haviland, KS | 87.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethany College | Lindsborg, KS | 91.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, KS | 92.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Christian College of Kansas | McPherson, KS | 96.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McPherson College | McPherson, KS | 97.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colby Community College | Colby, KS | 98.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas education page.
Education Wages Near Hays
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Kansas, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $58,770 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,820 |
| Middle School Teacher | $58,820 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $63,070 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $97,000 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $105,870 |
| Tutor | $33,420 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $58,430 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Hays at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,861 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Education-related employment in Ellis County | 57 workers, 13 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hays-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Dodge City, KS – 86.1 mi away (27,429 pop)
- Salina, KS – 91.9 mi away (47,123 pop)
- Hutchinson, KS – 94.9 mi away (43,507 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Hays, KS?
Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering education programs near Hays. The closest is Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Colby Community College (98.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles in Kansas?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying education-related roles in Kansas are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($105,870), Education Administrator, K-12 ($97,000), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($63,070). Wages for Hays workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Dodge City instead of Hays?
Dodge City, KS is 86.1 miles from Hays and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Hays an affordable place to study education?
Hays’s median household income of $56,861 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hays while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.