Online Organizational Leadership Degree in Kansas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Kansas employs about 24,660 general and operations managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your employer on whether the credential meets a promotion requirement. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare organizational leadership programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Kansas

Organizational leadership is not licensed and carries no required certification. The degree functions as a completion credential for working supervisors, so employers typically read it alongside the management experience it formalizes.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your employer on whether the credential meets a promotion requirement that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 9 schools within 140 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 9 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS 94.7 miles away BOC Score 72.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230 Lawrence, KS 66045
  • (785) 864-2700
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 68.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 730
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $69,680 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Ottawa University-Kansas City

Overland Park, KS 124.8 miles away BOC Score 61.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 29
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,228 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Ottawa University-Online

Overland Park, KS 124.8 miles away BOC Score 60.9
Tuition $13,296
Contact
  • 4370 West 109th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66211
  • (913) 701-3773
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 46
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,228 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS 139.7 miles away BOC Score 59.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 541
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,419 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Olathe, KS 116.1 miles away BOC Score 54.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 13
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $67,555 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS 51.6 miles away BOC Score 51.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 709
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,707 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Friends University

Wichita, KS 56.1 miles away BOC Score 38.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 52.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 31
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,698 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Central Christian College of Kansas

McPherson, KS 45.2 miles away BOC Score 37.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 24.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 48
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,610 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Southwestern College

Winfield, KS 78.1 miles away BOC Score 36.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 64
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,687 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What General and Operations Managers Earn in Kansas

General and Operations Managers in Kansas earn a median $92,840 per year, below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Organizational Leadership Pay and Employment in Kansas at a Glance

MetricKansasNationalSource
Median annual wage$92,840$105,770BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$51,780$50,090BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$65,350$72,320BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$139,410$167,280BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$212,700$253,390BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment24,6603,503,020BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient0.761.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state4.4%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Kansas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Kansas median of $92,840 sits below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 0.76 puts Kansas below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Kansas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Wichita$85,2305,060
Lawrence$85,110850
Topeka$85,0802,450
Manhattan$84,990920

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Supervisory and management roles exist wherever employers do, so this market tracks total employment rather than any single industry.

General and Operations Managers Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), general and operations managers wages in Kansas vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City31,080$90,490$114,850$47,080$219,230
Wichita5,060$85,230$108,000$48,910$191,600
Topeka2,450$85,080$103,570$54,100$171,620
St. Joseph1,510$74,570$96,720$39,090$173,240
Manhattan920$84,990$103,740$50,160$182,260
Lawrence850$85,110$105,280$51,320$190,210

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Kansas Metro Areas With Published Data

Lawrence * Manhattan * Topeka * Wichita


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do general and operations managers make in Kansas?

The median annual wage for general and operations managers in Kansas is $92,840, below the national median of $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $65,350 at the 25th percentile to $139,410 at the 75th.

How many general and operations managers work in Kansas?

Kansas holds about 24,660 operations manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 3,503,020, and BLS projects about 308,700 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a operations manager in Kansas?

Organizational leadership is not licensed and carries no required certification. The degree functions as a completion credential for working supervisors, so employers typically read it alongside the management experience it formalizes. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your employer on whether the credential meets a promotion requirement before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn an organizational leadership bachelor's or master's online while working in Kansas?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your employer on whether the credential meets a promotion requirement.

What is the highest-paying area of Kansas for general and operations managers?

Among Kansas metro areas with published data, Wichita reports the highest median at $85,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Kansas a good state for general and operations managers?

On pay, the state median of $92,840 sits below the national $105,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.76 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.