Online Sports Management Degree in Kansas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Kansas employs about 3,300 coaches and scouts (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the athletic organizations you want to work for. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare sports management programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Kansas

No license gates sports management. Coaching layers its own certifications by sport and level, and the programmatic accreditor is the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). What consistently hires is operational track record - events run, programs grown, seasons administered.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the athletic organizations you want to work for 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 10 schools within 86 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 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

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS 51.6 miles away BOC Score 51.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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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

#2

Tabor College

Hillsboro, KS 19.9 miles away BOC Score 45.0
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 20
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,989 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Friends University

Wichita, KS 56.1 miles away BOC Score 38.5
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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

#4

Central Christian College of Kansas

McPherson, KS 45.2 miles away BOC Score 37.2
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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

#5

Southwestern College

Winfield, KS 78.1 miles away BOC Score 36.5
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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

#6

Kansas Wesleyan University

Salina, KS 51.7 miles away BOC Score 36.1
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 47
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,289 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa, KS 86.4 miles away BOC Score 33.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 28.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 8
  • 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

#8

Sterling College

Sterling, KS 75.3 miles away BOC Score 31.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 38
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,980 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

McPherson College

McPherson, KS 43.8 miles away BOC Score 30.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 48
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,934 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Bethany College

Lindsborg, KS 47.6 miles away BOC Score 18.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 32.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 34
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,971 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Coaches and Scouts Earn in Kansas

Coaches and Scouts in Kansas earn a median $42,900 per year, below the national median of $47,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Sports Management Pay and Employment in Kansas at a Glance

MetricKansasNationalSource
Median annual wage$42,900$47,320BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$15,080$28,790BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$19,840$35,330BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$60,570$64,710BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$82,540$98,860BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment3,300248,950BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient1.441.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state6.4%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Kansas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Kansas median of $42,900 sits below the national median of $47,320 (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 1.44 puts Kansas well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (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
Lawrence$52,460150
Topeka$47,960180
Wichita$28,330530

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Sport employment maps onto institutions - districts, colleges, municipalities and gym chains - with the concentrated tiers clustering around major programs and franchises.

Coaches and Scouts Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City2,140$45,100$52,850$15,080$81,270
Wichita530$28,330$41,690$15,080$77,730
Topeka180$47,960$48,840$19,120$83,070
Lawrence150$52,460$76,570$30,310$129,280
St. Joseph120$39,960$47,240$30,190$68,060
Joplin110$48,460$63,480$29,260$108,220
Manhattan90N/AN/AN/AN/A

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 * 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 coaches and scouts make in Kansas?

The median annual wage for coaches and scouts in Kansas is $42,900, below the national median of $47,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $19,840 at the 25th percentile to $60,570 at the 75th.

How many coaches and scouts work in Kansas?

Kansas holds about 3,300 sports administrator jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 248,950, and BLS projects about 41,800 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a sports administrator in Kansas?

No license gates sports management. Coaching layers its own certifications by sport and level, and the programmatic accreditor is the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). What consistently hires is operational track record - events run, programs grown, seasons administered. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the athletic organizations you want to work for before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a sports management 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 the athletic organizations you want to work for.

What is the highest-paying area of Kansas for coaches and scouts?

Among Kansas metro areas with published data, Lawrence reports the highest median at $52,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Kansas a good state for coaches and scouts?

On pay, the state median of $42,900 sits below the national $47,320 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.44 means the occupation is more 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 - Coaches and Scouts (SOC 27-2022), 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/.