Cybersecurity Guide

A full list of cybersecurity programs and trainings in Kansas

Written by Cybersecurity Guide Contributors – Last updated:
In this guide

Students researching a cybersecurity degree in Kansas, a cybersecurity school in Kansas, or cybersecurity programs in Kansas will find options shaped by state government security initiatives and regional employer demand (especially in the Kansas City metro and across critical infrastructure).

This page focuses on degree and school pathways and only references institutions when there is a distinctive workforce, research, or training initiative worth noting.

How we keep this page current

This page is reviewed using Kansas-focused demand signals from CyberSeek, state projections from the Kansas Department of Labor, wage and employment estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas state cybersecurity governance sources, and the federal CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service directory.

Any program or initiative claims about institutions are verified against official university or state pages.
We periodically review this page and remove or revise time-sensitive claims that can’t be re-verified.

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Featured Cybersecurity Degree Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Purdue GlobalOnline BS in Cybersecurity website
Grand Canyon UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
UC Berkeley School of InformationMaster’s in Cybersecurity | No GRE/GMAT Required website
Arizona State UniversityOnline MA in Global Security - Cybersecurity website
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline BS in Cybersecurity or Online MS in Cybersecurity website
Check out this episode of the Cybersecurity Podcast with Dr. Alex Bardas from the University of Kansas.

Cybersecurity workforce demand in Kansas

Cybersecurity demand is best understood by comparing online job postings (short-term employer demand) with employment estimates (how many people are working in relevant occupations) and projections (expected longer-term growth/openings).

  • CyberSeek demand context: CyberSeek’s heat map provides Kansas-level indicators for cybersecurity job openings and workforce supply/demand over the recent 12-month periods.
  • State projections/openings: Kansas Department of Labor projections materials include Information Security Analysts among faster-growing occupations statewide and report 15 average annual openings with an annual growth rate of 2.1% (projections reference 2022–2032 and Kansas wage survey context) via the KDOL LMI “Projections Data Report”.
  • BLS employment and wages (Kansas): The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates 1,850 Information Security Analysts employed in Kansas with an annual mean wage of $101,440.
  • Another cyber-adjacent role (Kansas): BLS OEWS reports 1,890 Computer Network Architects employed in Kansas with an annual mean wage of $103,610.

What these metrics do (and do not) mean: Job postings reflect recruiting activity, which can rise/fall faster than employment. Employment/wage estimates reflect current workforce levels, not vacancies. Projections estimate expected change and openings over time, not guaranteed jobs. For education planning, the most useful approach is to look for programs that build practical skills aligned to employer demand while still providing durable foundations.

Related resources

Cybersecurity degree pathways in Kansas

Associate degrees

Associate programs are commonly used to start in IT/security support and then transfer into a bachelor’s pathway. When evaluating options, prioritize:

  • clear transfer pathways into a four-year cybersecurity or computing program
  • coursework that maps to common security roles (networking, systems, incident response basics)
  • lab-based learning (hands-on configuration, logging/monitoring, basic forensics)

  1. Butler Community College

    El Dorado, Kansas
    Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $73 in state | $163 out of state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Garden City Community College

    Garden City, Kansas
    Program: AS Degree in Cybersecurity
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $63 in state | $82 out of state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Johnson County Community College

    Overland Park, Kansas
    Program: Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology - Networking
    Credits: 60
    Cost per credit: $97 in state | $228 out of state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s programs are the most common route into analyst, engineering, and security operations roles. In Kansas, prioritize programs that show evidence of hands-on training environments and external validation (federal designation, formal centers, outreach/training pipelines).

Distinctive initiatives worth noting:

What to look for (regardless of program name): security labs/cyber range access, internship pipelines, applied projects, and curriculum aligned to recognized frameworks (e.g., NICE/NIST).

  1. Fort Hays State University

    Hays, Kansas
    Program: BA or BS in Information Networking and Telecommunications, Concentration: Computer Networking and Telecommunications with Information Assurance Emphasis
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $181 in-state | $529.68 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Campus & online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Friends University

    Wichita, Kansas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security
    Credits: 124
    Cost per credit: $1,070
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Kansas State University

    Manhattan, Kansas
    Program: BS in Computer Science – Cyber Security Track
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $321 in-state | $865 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Wichita State University

    Wichita, Kansas
    Program: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology – Cybersecurity
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 120
    Cost per credit: $308 in-state | $462 out-of-state
    Delivery method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details

Master’s degrees

Master’s pathways are typically best for students aiming at security architecture, leadership, or specialized research. Kansas programs that connect graduate students to active research communities and cross-disciplinary security work are generally stronger than lecture-only degrees.

Distinctive initiative worth noting: Kansas State University – Center for Cybersecurity and Trustworthy Systems: K-State describes a center designed to facilitate interdisciplinary research and educational collaboration in cybersecurity and cyber-physical system security.

  1. Friends University

    Wichita, Kansas
    Program: Master of Science in Cyber Security
    Credits: 33
    Cost per credit: $636
    Delivery method: Campus & online
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

  2. University of Kansas

    Lawrence, Kansas
    Program: Master of Science in Information Technology – Cyber Security Focus
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $437 in-state | $1,048 out of state
    Delivery method: Campus
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

Certifications and workforce programs

Many degree programs incorporate certification preparation (or align content to it) rather than offering standalone “cert programs.” For short-term workforce training, prioritize:

  • hands-on labs and measurable skill outcomes
  • alignment to NICE/NIST role categories
  • employer partnerships (internships, apprenticeships, practicum-style projects)

  1. Butler Community College

    El Dorado, Kansas
    Program: Cyber Security Certificate
    CAE designation: CAE-CD
    Credits: 30
    Cost per credit: $73 in state | $163 out of state
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  2. Cowley County Community College

    Arkansas City, Kansas
    Program: Software, Security & Development (AAS Certificate)
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $145 in state | $205 out of state
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  3. Grantham University

    Lenexa, Kansas
    Program: Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate
    Credits: 18
    Cost per credit: $295
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  4. Kansas State University–Olathe

    Olathe, Kansas
    Program: Cybersecurity bootcamp
    CAE designation: CAE-R
    Duration: 10 months
    Cost per credit: $15,820
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

  5. University of Kansas

    Lawrence, Kansas
    Program: Cybersecurity Boot Camp
    CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
    Duration: 24 weeks
    Cost per credit: $13,495
    Delivery method: Online
    Learn more: Program details

(When certification claims appear in program marketing, they should be treated as “prep aligned” unless the institution explicitly documents mapping and outcomes.)

Scholarship for Service

The federal CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program funds cybersecurity education in exchange for government service after graduation. Kansas students should confirm current participating institutions through the official SFS directory (SFS participating schools).

Unique Kansas cybersecurity initiatives

Kansas Information Security Office (KISO) and statewide governance

Kansas established the Kansas Information Security Office (KISO) and the State CISO role through the Kansas Cybersecurity Act (K.S.A. 75-7236/7237/7238), positioning statewide cybersecurity as a formal government function.

Kansas Cybersecurity Task Force

Kansas also created a bipartisan Cybersecurity Task Force charged with developing a comprehensive plan to address cybercrime and protect essential services.

Higher-ed centers with outreach and employer engagement

Kansas has university–affiliated cybersecurity centers that explicitly emphasize outreach, training, camps/competitions, and partnerships—signals that programs are supporting pipelines beyond standard coursework.

Frequently asked questions about cybersecurity degrees in Kansas

How many cybersecurity jobs are in Kansas?

If you mean employment, BLS estimates 1,850 Information Security Analysts employed in Kansas (a core cybersecurity occupation). If you mean openings, CyberSeek provides Kansas-level opening estimates based on online job listings.

What is the average cybersecurity salary in Kansas?

For a widely used benchmark occupation, BLS reports an annual mean wage of $101,440 for Information Security Analysts in Kansas.

What is the best cybersecurity degree in Kansas?

The “best” cybersecurity degree is typically the program that provides hands-on labs/cyber range access, internships, and verified external validation (e.g., CAE designation or documented workforce partnerships), rather than a specific degree title.

Are there online cybersecurity programs in Kansas?

Yes—online/hybrid options exist, but students should confirm how labs are delivered (virtual labs, remote range access, or in-person intensives) using official program pages before enrolling.

Does Kansas have cybersecurity bootcamps or short-term training?

Short-term training exists, but outcomes vary widely. For education-first planning, prioritize options connected to documented workforce pipelines, labs, and measurable skill outcomes (and verify via official provider pages).

What certifications are most requested in Kansas?

CyberSeek summarizes certification signals from job postings and reports the relationship between openings requesting certifications and certification-holder counts.

Is cybersecurity in demand in Kansas?

Yes. Kansas projections materials list Information Security Analysts among higher-growth occupations and report 15 average annual openings statewide in a projections summary, while CyberSeek shows ongoing job posting activity.

Can I start with an associate degree?

Yes. An associate degree can be an efficient starting point if it includes hands-on labs and a clear transfer path into a bachelor’s cybersecurity or computing program.

How long does a cybersecurity degree take?

Associate: ~2 years
Bachelor’s: ~4 years
Master’s: ~1–2 years (depending on background and format)

Does Kansas participate in Scholarship for Service?

Kansas participation can change year to year. Verify current participating institutions using the official SFS directory.

What industries in Kansas hire cybersecurity graduates?

Kansas demand is commonly tied to government, healthcare, finance/insurance, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure employers—reflected in statewide hiring signals surfaced via CyberSeek’s state/metro views.

Are there entry-level cybersecurity roles in Kansas?

Entry-level roles commonly include SOC analyst, junior security analyst, and security operations support. Programs that include supervised practicums, competitions, or center-based outreach/training can help build experience before graduation.

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