2026 Best Online Community Colleges in Kansas
Each year, thousands of students attend affordable online community colleges in Kansas. These schools are ideal for both working adults seeking career advancement and first-year students wishing to pursue an affordable and flexible degree.
Key Takeaways:
- Both schools in our best Salary Scores category feature median graduate earnings above $54,700.
- Kansas City Kansas Community College has the lowest tuition in the state at just $2,776.
- Our Honorable Mention schools maintain relatively high online enrollment numbers, with some schools enrolling upwards of 2,800 online students.
We categorize schools in Kansas based on how much graduates earn, how affordable the tuition costs are, and other unique attributes, such as online enrollment, that make schools worth your consideration. Through this methodology, we aim to present diverse options to meet your unique educational needs.
At a Glance:
Best by Salary Score
Understanding your school's alumni salary expectations helps you determine which offers the best long-term financial investment. Our team manually reviews data from College Scorecard to offer each school a letter grade. The highest earning online community colleges in Kansas have median earnings above $54,700.
Pratt Community College
Why We Like Them:
PCC alumni earn a median salary of $54,716, placing the school within the top 28% of the highest earning schools nationwide. Although online enrollment is relatively low (348 students), 67% of learners continue their education beyond the first year, indicating a strong support system for new students. PCC offers academic majors across disciplines and technical programs that include unique options like wildlife outfitting and operations and information network technology. The college's accredited programs make it an excellent choice for students aiming to either enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's degree.
Flint Hills Technical College
Why We Like Them:
Graduates of FHTC earn median earnings of $54,715, placing it in the top 28% of schools for graduate salaries and earning it a B+ from OnlineU's Salary Score. This outcome underscores the value and potential return on investment of pursuing education at FHTC. Additionally, the college achieves a notable graduation rate of 61%, which is also in the top 28% compared to other institutions, showing the long-term support the school provides. The online learning experience at FHTC features programs such as business technology and power plant technology that incorporate practical internship requirements, enhancing your real-world skills and employability.
Best by Affordability
These schools show annual tuition at the undergraduate level using information that is manually verified by the OnlineU staff. Out-of-state tuition is represented unless in-state tuition is offered to all online students. Below are the most affordable online schools in Kansas featuring tuition costs under $4,800.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Why We Like Them:
KCKCC secures its place on our list due to its remarkably low tuition of $2,776, which places it in the top percentile for affordability. This makes KCKCC an ideal choice for students looking to get the most value out of their education. Adding to the value are the median graduate earnings of $47,083. Over 900 students take KCKCC's flexible online courses with access to materials 24 hours a day. However, the school still requires you to meet deadlines, which are designed to keep you on pace for graduation. KCKCC is very transparent about what you should expect when studying online, indicating that once enrolled, you must log in to your classes at least three times per week.
Allen County Community College
Why We Like Them:
ACCC offers exceptional value with a tuition of just $2,850. This positions it among the top 4% of colleges nationwide for affordability, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious students. Another benefit is the impressive amount of students receiving financial aid. If we compare ACCC with other institutions, it stands out because 96% of its students benefit from financial aid packages, highlighting its commitment to making higher education accessible regardless of financial limitations. While the median earnings for graduates are $39,066, which falls in the 29th percentile, it's overall affordability makes ACCC a great choice if you're seeking a cost-effective associate degree online.
Neosho County Community College
Why We Like Them:
NCCC only charges online students $3,135 in tuition costs, making it an excellent choice to save money during your studies. Furthermore, the school's student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 places it in the top 23%, which allows for more personalized learning experiences and better access to your instructors. The median earnings for graduates is $48,438, indicating a strong return on investment, especially considering the low tuition cost. NCCC provides students the flexibility to complete both fully online and hybrid courses in a variety of disciplines. You can earn a liberal arts degree or pursue specialized certificates in business, computer science, and the medical field.
Seward County Community College
Why We Like Them:
SCCC offers an impressively affordable tuition of $3,330, making it one of the more economical options for higher education in Kansas. Coupled with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, which ensures a more interactive learning environment, SCCC successfully combines cost efficiency with educational value. SCCC provides an array of programs from business and health sciences to liberal arts and technology, so students can find suitable paths to align with their career aspirations. This ensures graduates are well-equipped to navigate today's ever-changing job market. SCCC uses Saints Everywhere, a proprietary remote learning platform to deliver its online courses.
Cowley County Community College
Why We Like Them:
Cowley is one of the most affordable colleges in the nation, with tuition rates of just $4,030, putting it in the top 17% for this metric. Additionally, 98% of students receive financial aid, highlighting the school's commitment to making education accessible regardless of financial status. This level of support indicates that nearly all students benefit from financial assistance, reducing the overall cost burden. The college's diverse online offerings include associate degrees in fields such as business administration, computer science, law, sports management, political science, religion, and criminal justice, making it a versatile choice for your educational pursuits.
Hutchinson Community College
Why We Like Them:
We consider HCC a highly affordable option thanks to its $4,770 tuition, which places it among the top 26% of the most cost-effective colleges in the country. This financial advantage is further amplified by the fact that 93% of students receive financial aid, making it easier for you to manage education expenses with low up-front costs. While the student-to-faculty ratio is not in the highest percentile, it remains a supportive learning environment through its remote education staff. More than 1,300 students study online at HCC using the Canvas learning management system. There are 24 online programs available that include certificates and associate degrees.
Barton County Community College
Why We Like Them:
Barton offers a $4,800 tuition rate, positioning it within the top 30% of affordable colleges nationwide. Another notable feature is the online enrollment number, with 1,661 students studying remotely. This places Barton among the top 26% of schools with the highest online student population, illustrating its effectiveness in providing quality online education. Barton has been offering online courses since 1999, allowing you the option to pursue associate degrees and certifications across a diverse range of fields such as accounting, math, history, finance, wildlife sciences, business management and leadership, and emergency management/homeland security.
Honorable Mention
In this section, we highlight schools that offer benefits beyond just affordability and high earnings. Under each school, you'll find specific reasons why we recommend them, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of their unique offerings. For example, Kansas is host to popular online community colleges with enrollment of between 674 and 2,869 distance learners.
Johnson County Community College
Why We Like Them:
JCCC has an impressive online enrollment of 2,869 students. This positions the college among the top 17% of schools with the highest online enrollment, reflecting its capacity to offer degrees no matter your location. Although not the highest in the state, JCCC graduates earn a respectable median salary of $42,665. As an online learner, you can pursue a range of degrees and certificates entirely remotely. Options include an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, and Associate of Applied Science in Marketing Management. Certificate programs are also available, such as digital marketing and paralegal, among others.
Highland Community College - KS
Why We Like Them:
HCC puts students first, as shown by its low student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. This fact is also clear when looking at its support system, which provides 100% of its students with financial assistance. It also helps that tuition costs are only $3,330. HCC hosts several accredited online associate degrees across diverse disciplines such as arts, science, general studies, business, accounting, criminal justice, and medical coding, demonstrating a rich and flexible online education system. This institution's commitment to flexibility and accessibility, combined with its wide range of online offerings, makes it an excellent choice for distance learners.
Coffeyville Community College
Why We Like Them:
CCC hosts 118 online students, 99% of whom receive financial aid. This statistic highlights the college's commitment to making higher education available for all, including remote learners. Tuition is just $4,608, allowing those who receive financial aid an affordable path to pursuing a full degree. The school also has a financial aid office that is accessible online to help you navigate the process of paying for your education. CCC's online course offerings are provided through the Brightspace platform, which can be accessed on various devices to meet your needs, ensuring a smooth and convenient online education experience no matter where you live.
Kansas Christian College
Why We Like Them:
KCC offers solid metrics in a variety of categories without excelling in any one area. 93% of students receive financial support, which signifies the institution's commitment to accessibility in education. KCC has a decent student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, which ensures you plenty of face-to-face time with your professors. The variety of online degrees offered adds to the appeal, including associate and bachelor's degrees in business leadership, elementary education, healthcare administration, leadership and ministry, psychology, and religion. Each program is flexible and 100% online. Additionally, KCC is beginning to offer master's degrees online starting in 2024.