Best Online Education Programs in Wichita, KS (2026)
Wichita, Kansas has a population of about 396,488. The city’s median household income is $63,072 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Wichita, with tuition ranging from $9,322 to $21,064 per year. In the Wichita, KS metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, Postsecondary at a median $107,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Wichita
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Wichita city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State University | Wichita, KS | 2.2 mi | $9,322 - $21,064 | – |
| Bethany College | Lindsborg, KS | 64.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 80.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas education page.
Education Wages Near Wichita
Wichita is part of the Wichita, KS metro area (BLS area code 48620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $62,230 | Wichita, KS | $70,000 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $56,370 | Wichita, KS | $63,408 |
| Middle School Teacher | $59,580 | Wichita, KS | $67,019 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $63,070 | KS statewide | $70,945 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $100,520 | Wichita, KS | $113,071 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $107,780 | Wichita, KS | $121,237 |
| Tutor | $44,260 | Wichita, KS | $49,786 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $60,040 | Wichita, KS | $67,537 |
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.
Wichita at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,072 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Sedgwick County | 3,534 workers, 183 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wichita-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Derby, KS – 10.4 mi away (23,633 pop)
- Newton, KS – 23.9 mi away (20,625 pop)
- Hutchinson, KS – 40.4 mi away (43,507 pop)
- Ponca City, OK – 68.4 mi away (25,164 pop)
- Salina, KS – 79.1 mi away (47,123 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Wichita, KS?
Our directory lists 3 education programs within 100 miles of Wichita. The closest is Wichita State University in Wichita, KS (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emporia State University (80.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Wichita?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Wichita are: Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($107,780), Education Administrator, K-12 ($100,520), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($63,070). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Derby instead of Wichita?
Derby, KS is 10.4 miles from Wichita 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 Wichita an affordable place to study education?
Wichita’s median household income of $63,072 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wichita 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.