Colleges in Kansas

Kansas colleges are some of the best in the Midwest as well as the nation. With a variety of two and four-year schools from which to choose, students from all over the world come to Kansas for a world-class education. Schools in Kansas offer students an array of exciting and interesting options to choose for majors, often making the choice a harder one than usual thanks to the many choices. There are over 100 colleges in Kansas. Unlike many states in the Midwest, most Kansas schools will be easy to find due to their being located in or near the state's major cities and metro areas like Topeka, Wichita and Lawrence. Home to the Jayhawks of the University of Kansas, Lawrence is home to a school that is considered as one of the best schools in the Midwestern United States as well as the Western United States. Known for its successful college basketball program, the University of Kansas not only excels at sports but academics as well. Kansas State University is another school that is highly respected Midwestern schools. A unique feature at KSU is the "Beyond the Basics" program, which lets students take classes in subjects that are both popular and timely. Examples of past "Beyond the Basics" classes are studies of Harry Potter, hurricanes, ringtones and tree-climbing. Designed to be fun and highly specific, these classes have proven to be quite a hit with students in Manhattan. Other popular four-year colleges in Kansas include Wichita State University, Emporia State University and Pittsburg State University. If heading to a four-year school is not in the plans, students can instead choose from a variety of two-year schools. With almost 20 community colleges and numerous technical schools available, students not wanting to attend four years of college have many options from which to choose. The state's community college system is noted for turning out graduates skilled in a number of highly-technical areas including industrial electronics, information technology and machine technology. Some of the more well-known community colleges in the state include Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Community College and Butler County Community College. If heading to a technical school is more to a person's liking, there are many of them from which to choose as well. These can include the Kansas City Technical Education Center, Northeast Kansas Technical College and Wichita Technical College. Programs offered in these schools include Cosmetology, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Paralegal Studies and more.

Economy

After gaining an education at one of these schools, the goal is to find gainful employment within one's chosen field. Fortunately, students in this state are having little if any trouble doing just that. Whether entering the workforce with a Bachelor's degree or simply a certificate, graduates are able to choose where they will begin their post-secondary lives. While many still look at Kansas as an agriculture-only economy, nothing could be further from the truth. While agriculture is still one of the leading components of the economy, recent trends have let many other industries gain a piece of the pie. For example, one of the most popular areas of employment is in Aviation. Currently, four companies based in Wichita manufacture most of the world's aircraft. Because of this, employees skilled in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are in constant high demand by employers. In addition to needing engineers to work on aircraft, the industry also needs workers skilled in various building trades and other related skills. Welders are in high demand in Kansas, as are machinists to help manufacture the parts needed for aircraft and other industries. The technical aspects of the Kansas economy are still in their infancy, with much room for growth expected over the next decade. Other areas experiencing a boom in Kansas are Law Enforcement and Forensic Science. As technology is used more than ever to help solve crimes, workers skilled in the latest forensic science techniques such as DNA testing are needed to work through the huge backlog of tests needing to be performed. Those interested in positions as sworn officers are also needed to replace the retiring officers and those who leave the field to pursue less dangerous occupations. Positions with local, state and federal agencies are expected to be good areas for employment through 2020. Agriculture is still, however, what made Kansas the state it is today and continues to be a big part of the state's economy. The production of wheat as well as meat-packing are the two major agricultural components of the Kansas agricultural economic segment, still providing opportunities for those not wanting to attend college the chance to find stable and well-paying employment. For those wanting to go into health care and related fields, there are a variety of options on the table. Medical Assistants are needed as new medical facilities are being built, while Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists are also needed. The mental health field is also experiencing a growth spurt, with the demand for Psychologists and Mental Health Counselors continuing to expand. While agriculture may have been the main source of employment in Kansas for generations, things are certainly changing in today's economic climate. The state is experiencing tremendous growth in many areas, and those workers who possess the necessary skills will continue to be in high demand from employers. From four-year graduates to those getting certificates in a matter of weeks, there are countless opportunities in many areas for residents of this great Midwestern state.

There are over 100 colleges in Kansas. Unlike many states in the Midwest, most Kansas schools will be easy to find due to their being located in or near the state's major cities and metro areas like Topeka, Wichita and Lawrence. Home to the Jayhawks of the University of Kansas, Lawrence is home to a school that is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the Midwestern United States as well as the Western United States. Known for its successful college basketball program, the University of Kansas not only excels at sports but academics as well.

Kansas State University is another school that is always near the top of the list of best Midwestern schools. A unique feature at KSU is the "Beyond the Basics" program, which lets students take classes in subjects that are both popular and timely. Examples of past "Beyond the Basics" classes are studies of Harry Potter, hurricanes, ringtones and tree-climbing. Designed to be fun and highly specific, these classes have proven to be quite a hit with students in Manhattan.

Other popular four-year colleges in Kansas include Wichita State University, Emporia State University and Pittsburg State University. If heading to a four-year school is not in the plans, students can instead choose from a variety of two-year schools. With almost 20 community colleges and numerous technical schools available, students not wanting to attend four years of college have many options from which to choose. The state's community college system is noted for turning out graduates skilled in a number of highly-technical areas including industrial electronics, information technology and machine technology.

Some of the more well-known community colleges in the state include Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Community College and Butler County Community College. If heading to a technical school is more to a person's liking, there are many of them from which to choose as well. These can include the Kansas City Technical Education Center, Northeast Kansas Technical College and Wichita Technical College. Programs offered in these schools include Cosmetology, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Paralegal Studies and more.

Economy

After gaining an education at one of these schools, the goal is to find gainful employment within one's chosen field. Fortunately, students in this state are having little if any trouble doing just that. Whether entering the workforce with a Bachelor's degree or simply a certificate, graduates are able to choose where they will begin their post-secondary lives.

While many still look at Kansas as an agriculture-only economy, nothing could be further from the truth. While agriculture is still one of the leading components of the economy, recent trends have let many other industries gain a piece of the pie. For example, one of the most popular areas of employment is in Aviation. Currently, four companies based in Wichita manufacture most of the world's aircraft. Because of this, employees skilled in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are in constant high demand by employers.

In addition to needing engineers to work on aircraft, the industry also needs workers skilled in various building trades and other related skills. Welders are in high demand in Kansas, as are machinists to help manufacture the parts needed for aircraft and other industries. The technical aspects of the Kansas economy are still in their infancy, with much room for growth expected over the next decade. Other areas experiencing a boom in Kansas are Law Enforcement and Forensic Science. As technology is used more than ever to help solve crimes, workers skilled in the latest forensic science techniques such as DNA testing are needed to work through the huge backlog of tests needing to be performed. Those interested in positions as sworn officers are also needed to replace the retiring officers and those who leave the field to pursue less dangerous occupations. Positions with local, state and federal agencies are expected to be good areas for employment through 2020.

Agriculture is still, however, what made Kansas the state it is today and continues to be a big part of the state's economy. The production of wheat as well as meat-packing are the two major agricultural components of the Kansas agricultural economic segment, still providing opportunities for those not wanting to attend college the chance to find stable and well-paying employment.

For those wanting to go into health care and related fields, there are a variety of options on the table. Medical Assistants are needed as new medical facilities are being built, while Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists are also needed. The mental health field is also experiencing a growth spurt, with the demand for Psychologists and Mental Health Counselors continuing to expand.

While agriculture may have been the main source of employment in Kansas for generations, things are certainly changing in today's economic climate. The state is experiencing tremendous growth in many areas, and those workers who possess the necessary skills will continue to be in high demand from employers. From four-year graduates to those getting certificates in a matter of weeks, there are countless opportunities in many areas for residents of this great Midwestern state.