Education and the Work Force

From the dynamic research labs of its largest universities to the workforce-ready graduates of community and technical colleges, the state’s educational system is the bedrock of its business climate.

While policy debates often center on funding, the return on that investment is clear: a skilled workforce, groundbreaking innovation, and thriving communities and regions.

The Power of the Big Three

The crown jewels of this system are the three major public universities under the Kansas Board of Regents—the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University. Together, they educate the majority of the state’s undergraduate and graduate students and serve as powerful economic engines.

• University of Kansas (Lawrence): As the state’s flagship institution, KU sets the bar for higher education. With nearly 27,000 students across its Lawrence campus and close to 4,000 more at the renowned KU Medical Center campuses in Kansas City and Wichita, it is a comprehensive powerhouse. Its 14 schools—with 420 academic degrees and certificates spanning business, engineering, law, medicine, and more—produce the talent and research that drive organizations statewide. KU’s growing national reputation as a top-tier research university attracts talent and investment to the entire region.

• Kansas State University (Manhattan): Building on its historic legacy as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, K-State is a leader in agricultural research and the life sciences. This expertise was pivotal in securing the $1.2 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, a transformative project for the Manhattan area and a testament to the university’s research clout. With its branch campus in Salina focusing on technology and aviation, K-State’s influence extends across the state serving nearly 20,000 students in various traditional programs and about 500 more in the veterinary school.

• Wichita State University (Wichita): As Kansas’ only large urban research university, WSU is uniquely positioned as a partner to industry, and is the fastest-growing Regents institution in enrollment,  now with nearly 18,000 students. Its renowned aerospace and engineering programs have long fueled the Air Capital of the World, while its Center for Entrepreneurship—a pioneer in the field since 1977—fosters the next generation of business creators, adding to the university’s role as a critical talent pipeline for the state’s largest city.

Extending Excellence Statewide

Beyond the “Big Three,” the Regents system includes three other universities that are vital to their regions and the state, serving as major employers and workforce developers. 

• Fort Hays State University in Hays is a significant economic anchor with a reach well beyond its northwest Kansas base. It supports the local economy through its status as a large employer and by educating nearly 17,000 students. Its robust online and graduate programs actively bolster the state’s skilled workforce in critical areas like business, health sciences, and technology.

• Pittsburg State University, home to nearly 7,000 students in the 2025 fall semester, is a cornerstone of the southeast Kansas economy. As the largest employer in the area, its presence creates a stable economic base. The university’s renowned technology center and more than 25 academic programs directly supply the region with a highly skilled talent pool, a key reason the local educational attainment rate far exceeds that of surrounding rural areas.

• Emporia State University, with 4,775 enrolled, significantly contributes to the economic and intellectual vitality of its community as a major employer. Nationally recognized for its teacher-preparation program, it supplies Kansas schools with qualified educators. As the only institution in the area to offer a Ph.D. in Library and Information Management, it cultivates unique expertise that benefits the entire state.

A Multi-Tiered System

Beyond the Regents system is a network of 18 four-year baccalaureate institutions, some religiously affiliated with a range of denominations, others secular. In the former group are the University of St. Mary (Leavenworth), Baker (Baldwin City), Newman as well as Friends (Wichita), Benedictine (Atchison), Southwestern (Winfield), Bethel (Newton), Bethany (Lindsborg) and Mid-America Nazarene (Olathe) and Sterling College. All are vital community partners, providing employment and educating local talent. 

The next educational tier—a vital one—comprises the state’s 19 community colleges. With programming updates that can be more quickly implemented to serve business interests, these institutions have nearly 92,000 students enrolled—more than the six Regents institutions combined. All are crucial economic assets for their communities, directly bolstering regional workforce skills. 

Perhaps the most explosive growth in post-secondary education has occurred in the technical-college sector. Spanning the state, those schools provide essential vocational training and, together with their community college and four-year colleagues, form a comprehensive educational network that underpins the economic health and competitiveness of Kansas.