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Last Updated: September 24, 2021

Kansas - The Sunflower State

The state of Kansas is located in the Midwestern part of the United States. The population of this state as per the United States Census Bureau is around 2.9 million in 2021. The capital of the state is Topeka, while the largest city is Wichita with a population of 0.4 million. The state experiences a humid continental climate with cool to cold winters and hot summers. The monthly average temperature ranges from 37 F to 89 F.

Kansas is a land that used to be originally inhabited by various Native American tribes such as the Kansa, Osage, Pawnee, Kiowa, and Comanche. The state got its name from one of these tribes called the Kansa tribe. The state got its nickname 'The Sunflower State' because of the abundance of sunflowers grown here. In fact, it is the state flower and is even the major emblem in the state flag. It is also popularly known as the Wheat State because of its large-scale wheat production.

Major Cities in Kansas

Wichita

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with a population of about 390,000. It was founded in 1868 and was established as a city in 1870. The city is well-known for its rich culture and diversity as well as its aircraft industry and was once known as the air capital of the world. It is also a major educational hub and houses major institutes of higher learning such as Wichita State University, Newman University, and Friends University. Popular places in this city include Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita Art Museum, Botanica: The Wichita Gardens, Old Cowtown Museum, and The Keeper of the Plains.

Overland Park

This is the second-biggest city in Kansas that was founded in 1905 by William B. Strang Jr. The estimated population of the city is roughly 192,000. Given that the crime rates are below 12.97% than the national average, the city is considered to be a safe place to live in. However, the cost of living is higher than the national average. The predominant economic sectors of this city are retail, health care, finance, and insurance. One of the largest companies, Sprint Corporation, is headquartered in this city. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Museum at Prairiefire, and Johnson County Museum are some of the most fascinating sites here.

Kansas City

Established as a city in 1866, Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state. It has a population of around 153,000 and is located in Wyandotte County. The city is known for its famous water body called the Kaw River. Farming has always been an important economic sector in this city followed by healthcare. As much as it is known for its cultural diversity, the city is also extremely popular for its food and music, and was once called the 'Barbeque Capital' or the 'Jazz District'. Popular attractions include the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, Kansas City Zoo, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Worlds of Fun, and a lot more.

Economy/Job Market

Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Kansas

The cost of living in the Sunflower State is lower than the national average. Housing costs are incredibly cheap in Kansas, and transportation is also very economical. Healthcare services and utilities are on the more expensive side as the rates are higher than the national average. Some of the most affordable cities in the state of Kansas are Pratt, Mulvane, Concordia, Arkansas City, Atchison, Parsons, and Park City. According to a survey by the American Community Survey (ACS), the state's median household income is around $62,000.

For the year 2021-2022, the average tuition cost for in-state students in a public institution is around $10,500 to $11,000, whereas it is roughly $23,000 for out-of-state students. The average tuition fee in a private institute is about $38,000 to $39,000. Considering the average value, in-state tuition costs in public universities are reasonable, whereas it is above average for out-of-state students. However, the tuition fee charged in private institutes is comparatively lower than the average. There are also several private institutions in Kansas compared to public institutions.

List of Few Major Universities/Colleges

Colleges and universities of the state are under the supervision of the Kansas Board of Regents. It supervises and regulates 19 community colleges, 6 technical colleges, 6 state universities, and a municipal university. With increasing employment opportunities and the growth of the industrial sector, universities in the state of Kansas are drawing the attention of many students. The higher education system of Kansas is considered to be the finest in the southern part of the country. The top educational institutes in Kansas are:

Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students

Tourism

The Sunflower State is known for its abundant sunflowers, but apart from that, this agricultural state is also popular for its beautiful fields, parks, and cultural sites. Some of the best tourist attractions are Botanica: The Wichita Gardens, Kansas Cosmosphere, and Space Center, Sedgwick County Zoo, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Evel Knievel Museum, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids), Museum of World Treasures, Oz Museum, and so much more. Venturesome tourists who wish to experience a massive adrenaline rush should check out one of the world’s tallest water slides at Schlitterbahn Waterpark, which is located in Kansas City. Kansas also houses the world’s first Pizza Hut that opened in the city of Wichita. Popular dishes one must try in the state are Zwiebach, Barbecue, Bierocks, and Burgers.

Universities & Colleges in Kansas

University (city) Total StudentsUG (in) / UG (out)G (in) / G (out)
University of Kansas (Lawrence) 31088$12545 / $30318$12545 / $27181
Kansas State University (Manhattan) 24546$11499 / $28227$12545 / $26136
Wichita State University (Wichita) 17371$9409 / $18818$7318 / $15681
Baker University (Baldwin City) 3506$31363 / $31363$12545 / $12545
Benedictine College (Atchison) 2216$32408 / $32408$16727 / $16727
Newman University (Wichita) 4482$33454 / $33454$12545 / $12545
Friends University (Wichita) 1929$27181 / $27181$12545 / $12545
Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina) 748$28227 / $28227$N/A / $N/A
Manhattan Christian College (Manhattan) 308$15681 / $15681$N/A / $N/A
Emporia State University (Emporia) 7177$7318 / $21954$9409 / $24045
Tabor College (Hillsboro) 790$31363 / $31363$10454 / $10454
Southwestern College (Winfield) 2221$33454 / $33454$12545 / $12545
University of Saint Mary (Leavenworth) 1427$27181 / $27181$11499 / $11499
Sterling College (Sterling) 800$29272 / $29272$15681 / $15681
Ottawa University-Ottawa (Ottawa) 829$32408 / $32408$12545 / $12545
McPherson College (McPherson) 681$27181 / $27181$4181 / $4181
Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg) 8009$8363 / $19863$9409 / $20908
Bethany College (Lindsborg) 699$27181 / $27181$N/A / $N/A
Haskell Indian Nations University (Lawrence) 799$1045 / $1045$N/A / $N/A
Cleveland University-Kansas City (Overland Park) 456$10454 / $10454$8363 / $8363
National American University-Wichita (Wichita) 174$14636 / $14636$N/A / $N/A
National American University-Overland Park (Overland Park) 309$14636 / $14636$N/A / $N/A
Saint Paul School of Theology (Leawood) 156$N/A / $N/A$19863 / $19863
Bethel College-North Newton (North Newton) 525$27181 / $27181$N/A / $N/A
Donnelly College (Kansas City) 382$7318 / $7318$N/A / $N/A
MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe) 3819$33454 / $33454$15681 / $15681
Washburn University (Topeka) 7534$9409 / $20908$10454 / $19863
The Art Institutes International–Kansas City (Lenexa) 183$16727 / $16727$N/A / $N/A
Fort Hays State University (Hays) 18343$6272 / $16727$5227 / $11499
Barclay College (Haviland) 296$21954 / $21954$8363 / $8363
Grantham University (Lenexa) 10547$9409 / $9409$5227 / $5227
Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Shawnee) 359$10454 / $10454$7318 / $7318
Central Christian College of Kansas (McPherson) 1369$17772 / $17772$N/A / $N/A
Ottawa University-Kansas City (Overland Park) 806$13590 / $13590$12545 / $12545

*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
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