Best Online Engineering 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. There are 3 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Hays. In Kansas, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $147,020 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Hays
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Hays city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | 45.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS | 77.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS | 94.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Hays
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Kansas, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $86,780 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,680 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $91,770 |
| Chemical Engineer | $107,200 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,640 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,140 |
| Environmental Engineer | $93,540 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $147,020 |
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) |
| Engineering-related employment in Ellis County | 8 workers, 7 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Hays-Area Cities With Engineering 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 engineering programs are near Hays, KS?
Our directory lists 3 engineering programs within 100 miles of Hays. The closest is Barton County Community College in Great Bend, KS (45.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hutchinson Community College (94.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles in Kansas?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles in Kansas are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($147,020), Aerospace Engineer ($126,640), Biomedical Engineer ($109,140). 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 engineering 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 engineering?
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.