Accounting Degree Overview for Kansas

Home to nearly 3 million citizens, Kansas represents the geographical center of the American Midwest. As an established leader in the national agricultural market, the state economy also supports emerging industries like aerospace manufacturing. The state elected the nation’s first female mayor in 1887. It’s also the birthplace of former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, and of Hattie McDaniel, the first Black woman to win an Academy Award.

As Kansas continues to diversify its local economy, many residents seek adaptable careers with broad applications in business and finance. To this end, students increasingly pursue accounting degrees in Kansas at one of the state’s 75 higher learning institutions. Kansas currently employs 12,680 accountants; some hold lucrative positions among Kansas’ local Fortune 500 companies.

On-campus and online accounting degrees in Kansas can prepare students for popular jobs in management or cost accounting. The following guide can help students navigate the process of considering a Kansas online accounting degree.

• Kansas Education Statistics
• Accounting Careers in Kansas

Kansas at a Glance

Top Kansas Schools for Accounting

• Baker University
• University of Kansas
• Kansas State University
• Newman University
• Friends University
• MidAmerica Nazarene University
• Wichita State University
• Benedictine College
• Washburn University
• Tabor College

Why Go to College for Accounting in Kansas?

Students who choose to pursue an accounting degree in Kansas enjoy a variety of benefits. Generally, the state puts a premium on higher education. Kansas hosts 75 two- and four-year colleges, and it allocates a larger percentage of funding to college programming than the national average. Nearly 33% of Kansans aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

The Kansas Board of Regents invests heavily in expanding economic opportunity for its students through higher education. The Board recently launched a subcommittee, the Future of Higher Education Council, to develop three-, five-, and 10-year plans for higher education in advance of the 2021 state legislative session. 

Business, marketing, and management programs, including online accounting degrees, top the lists of the most popular majors at schools like Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. More than 40% of Kansans enroll specifically in online programs, some of which offer tuition discounts and accelerated completion options. 

Students completing an online accounting degree in Kansas enjoy in-state tuition rates. The best accounting schools in Kansas emphasize networking opportunities for students and help them develop career skills to meet the local industry demand.

Education Statistics for Kansas

Kansas offers more financial support for education than the national average. The state allocates 7.4% of its tax revenue toward higher education, compared to 5.8% nationally. As a result, the state enrolls more than 40% of students in online programs and features high associate and bachelor’s attainment rates. 

Higher Education in Kansas

Accreditation for Kansas Schools

Students considering pursuing an online accounting degree in Kansas should begin with a list of accredited schools. While a college may hold legitimate accreditation by either a regional or national agency, regional accreditation requires a more competitive process and offers higher prestige. Accreditation demonstrates that a school meets or exceeds the utmost performance standards in higher education.

Some of the best accounting schools in Kansas receive accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting body for many states across the Midwest and the southwestern U.S. Schools may also receive national accreditation through an agency approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, some accounting programs hold programmatic accreditation through an organization such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. 

Considerations for an Accounting Degree in Kansas

Selecting the right accounting college and program involves many considerations. Prospective students may begin by narrowing their choices to campus-based or distance programs in Kansas. Kansas hosts an online-only student population of just over 22%; this figure exceeds the national rate of roughly 16% of students enrolled exclusively in online education.

Additional considerations include degree level, available concentrations, cost, and financial aid options. Many Kansas schools assess lower tuition rates than the national average, especially for in-state enrollees at four-year state universities.

Accounting Degree Levels

To find the right program and degree level, aspiring accounting students should carefully examine their career goals. Factors such as cost, program length, and preferred learning style may tip the scales in favor of one program over another.

The following list covers several considerations for each degree level available through accounting schools in Kansas.

Accounting Concentration Options

Students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting in Kansas can choose from a variety of available concentrations, but some concentrations better prepare students for their chosen career. The table below features two popular concentrations in Kansas.

Explore More Accounting Concentrations

On-Campus Versus Online Program Options

Students can choose to pursue an accounting degree in Kansas on campus, online, or through hybrid study. While programs vary by school and location, online accounting majors do not typically involve stringent in-person components. This allows additional flexibility for students who choose a fully or partially online degree.

On-Campus 

Many schools in Kansas offer traditional accounting degrees on campus. Kansas residents who seek a tangible college experience often find on-campus programs ideal. Many students prefer to live in close proximity to study groups, campus amenities, and social events. These enrollees also enjoy in-state tuition rates. Others may simply benefit from learning in a classroom with personal access to faculty. 

Online Programs

Like campus-based programs, online accounting degrees in Kansas still provide a fully immersive experience; however, the learning environment requires additional self-management skills. Distance learners typically complete coursework through weekly synchronous or asynchronous assignments, aided by virtual resources like tutoring and technology support. 

Students must practice careful time management and schedule their own virtual meetings with professors if necessary. Online programs may save students money on tuition, living expenses, and commuting costs. Studying online also offers maximum flexibility to degree-seekers on any schedule, in any location. 

Hybrid Programs

Hybrid programs can provide the ideal learning experience for students who require a combination of in-person and online instruction. Many hybrid programs deliver more than 50% of coursework online with weekly or monthly attendance required on campus. Some programs hold classes on nights or weekends to accommodate working students. Such minimal in-person requirements serve part-time learners and commuters with limited access to campus.

Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Paying for Your Accounting Degree

Aspiring accountants in Kansas must consider how they plan to finance their degree. Most students must fill out the FAFSA, which determines eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, students should consider scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.

Each type of aid comes with benefits and drawbacks. Federal sources — and some private scholarships and grants — typically award aid based on a student’s (or their parents’) income. Many scholarships, fellowships, and grants base award amounts on merit, ethnic classification, location, and/or area of study, and do not require repayment. Many degree-seekers consider loans as a last resort, as the repayment terms often involve higher fees. 

• Learn More About Financial Aid Options
• Learn More About and Explore Accounting Scholarships

Average Cost of College Tuition and Fees in Kansas, 2017-2018

In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition

Most colleges assign variable tuition rates depending on where a student resides. Kansas residents qualify to pay the in-state tuition rate, which is significantly less expensive than out-of-state tuition. Some schools offer tuition breaks to out-of-state students in select majors or programs. Additionally, nonresident students may apply for a variety of scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid to offset the costs of attending college in Kansas.

Some schools offer discounted tuition to online students in any location by freezing tuition rates or charging a set rate for distance programs. Some Kansas schools also belong to the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), the largest of its kind across 10 midwestern states. MSEP enables nonresident students at participating schools in Kansas to reduce the tuition costs of out-of-state learning.

Kansas’s Cost of Living

Cost of living impacts budgeting for a college education. In Kansas, residents enjoy a low cost of living index score of 89, below the U.S. average of 100. Kansas ranks among the 10 states with the lowest cost of living in the U.S., ideal for students considering relocating to Kansas from their home state to pursue an accounting degree. 

Other School Selection Criteria

While some of the best accounting schools in Kansas offer advantageous locations, selecting the right school involves many other factors. The following list covers additional considerations to help guide the decision-making process.

Careers for Accounting Graduates in Kansas

As an enduring career with applications in business and finance, accounting offers stable employment and high salaries across the U.S. Accountants earn a national mean annual wage of nearly $80,000, and they work primarily in accounting, auditing, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll positions. While the BLS projects increased employment by 4% between 2019 and 2029 across the U.S., accounting job growth in Kansas exceeds the national projections for this period.

Kansas offers bright employment prospects for accountants in specializations like bookkeeping, auditing, and cost estimation, especially within the state’s biggest metro cities. For example, Kansas City maintains offices for all of the “Big 4” firms, which rank among the most desirable national employers of accounting and auditing professionals. As one of the leading industries in Kansas, the manufacturing sector of the state economy also requires accountants, CPAs, and cost estimators.

Select Accounting Careers in Kansas

Kansas Employment Trends

Projected Job Growth for Accountants

Curious about other accounting jobs? Explore more here

Earning an accounting degree in Kansas — at any level — can lead to a variety of lucrative careers. As shown above, Kansas offers competitive employment and high salaries for graduates of associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. Students with an associate degree in accounting qualify for entry-level credit counselor jobs, among the most selective in this sector. Salaries for credit counselor jobs in Kansas exceed the national mean.

A student who earns a higher degree in accounting often enjoys a proportionate increase in employment opportunities and salary. Accounting careers in Kansas that require a bachelor’s degree, such as cost estimation, pay slightly more than the national mean salary for this position. Tax examiners and collectors, who occupy another bachelor-level accounting career path in Kansas, enjoy more competitive employment and even higher salaries. 

Candidates with a master’s in accounting in Kansas qualify for lucrative, high-level accounting careers. Many students pursue CPA licensure to become accountants, auditors, or budget analysts. Kansas also employs large numbers of personal financial advisors and financial managers. These positions rank among the top earners of any jobs in this sector, nationally and statewide. 

Kansas Requirements for Certified Public Accountants

Each state maintains its own requirements for becoming a CPA. Accountants need CPA certification to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission; however, many accountants also pursue CPA certification to improve job prospects. 

The CPA certification process involves a unique set of steps in each state. CPAs must pass a comprehensive exam in four sections of accounting: auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation. Other requirements for CPA candidacy by state include:

Students should check the individual requirements of the state in which they plan to practice as a CPA.

In Kansas, CPA candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree plus additional education totaling 150 credits to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. Additionally, candidates need at least one year of accounting experience and must take the AICPA ethics exam to obtain CPA certification.

• Learn more about the CPA Exam
• Learn more about having a career as a CPA

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions