KU Edwards Campus and K-State Olathe Offer Resources to Help KC-Area Students Afford Higher Education

It’s no secret. Earning a college degree can be expensive. That’s why JCERT’s higher education partners – the KU Edwards Campus and K-State Olathe – provide options that make college affordable and offer degrees that provide a return on those investments.

Does a college degree provide long-term value?
Many students wonder if pursuing a college degree is worth the investment of time and money. The data shows it is.

According to 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the most recent available, it pays – literally – to have a higher education degree. Those with bachelor’s degrees have median annual incomes of $64,896 compared to $38,792 for those without college degrees. Earnings increase to $77,844 annually with a master’s degree and to $96,772 annually with a doctorate.

In greater Kansas City, advanced degrees also translate into finding employment. As the region's employers grow, so does the demand for employees with knowledge and skills, particularly in four STEM-related fields: animal health; outcomes research and health IT; cancer research and care; and neuroscience.

According to Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute’s “Path to 2025” report, there won't be enough educated workforce in the Kansas City area to fulfill employer needs to keep the region nationally competitive throughout the future. The degree programs at K-State Olathe and the KU Edwards Campus help fill that void by feeding the talent pipeline.

When it comes to overall value, KU and K-State are among the best in the nation. 

KU and K-State are ranked in the top 325 “Best Value Colleges” by PayScale.com, which compares the costs of in-state and out-of-state tuition, room and board, books and supplies, financial aid packages and alumni success in the job market to determine an overall return on investment for each institution. This information is used to evaluate more than 1,800 public and private universities and colleges for the “Best Value Colleges” ranking.

Accelerating the degree process
Many students reduce their college tuition fees by earning a bachelor’s degree from KU or K-State in less than four years.

The KU Edwards Campus Degree in 3 program allows high school students to expedite their journey toward a bachelor’s degree. Students like Eric Fecteau, the first Degree in 3 graduate, are able to earn college credits in high school, complete an associate’s degree one year after graduating and complete a bachelor’s degree two years later. Fecteau graduated with his JCERT-supported bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2019 and said at the time, “This is a program that can work for anyone. It is a great opportunity to take advantage of the financial and time benefits.” The Degree in 3 program not only offered Fecteau a more affordable way to earn his bachelor’s degree, but also allowed him to continue running his business while enjoying the flexibility of his courses.

Beginning summer 2022, K-State Olathe is partnering with MidAmerica Nazarene University to offer eligible students the opportunity to take up to nine credit hours of advanced science courses at K-State Olathe that are not offered at MNU. These credit hours can count toward their MNU bachelor's degree, as well as two master's degree programs at K-State Olathe.

In-state tuition for non-Kansas residents
At K-State Olathe, all U.S. students pay the same tuition rate as Kansas residents. This equals a discount of more than 60% per credit hour for those who decide to become in-person or online students at K-State's Olathe campus. This tuition rate will soon be available at K-State’s Manhattan and Polytechnic campuses, as well.

KU Edwards Campus and K-State Olathe both offer MetroRate tuition. KUEC’s MetroRate offers tuition equivalent to in-state rates for Missouri residents who meet qualifications.

Financial assistance
Both K-State Olathe and the KU Edwards Campus have fully dedicated financial aid offices to help students take advantage of all the assistance available to them. The universities offer a variety of scholarships, micro-grants, fee assistance and financial aid opportunities. Here are a couple of examples:

• Micro-grants
  Prospective students who attend a K-State Olathe 30-minute, degree-specific webinar or come to an after-hours information session receive a waiver for K-State’s application fee, which is $40 for undergraduates and $65 for graduates. 

KUEC raises money through any-sized gifts, some from the annual One Day. One KU. campaign, to make micro-grants available to students who need that extra push when applying to their program of choice. Enrollment fees, transportation and family expenses are often roadblocks for those who would otherwise have most of their needs met by traditional financial aid.

• JCERT scholarships
  KUEC and K-State Olathe also offer scholarships for students pursuing JCERT-funded degrees, such as biotechnology, information technology, workplace communication and the professional science master’s degree program, among others. To date, these JCERT partners have provided $700,000 in scholarships over the last 10 years.
   
• Campus fees
  In an ongoing effort to increase affordability and cost transparency, K-State submitted a proposal to the Kansas Board of Regents in May to rework and eliminate multiple fees across its four locations. The proposal includes removal of the campus fee at K-State Olathe, a change that would save students thousands of dollars on their degree programs.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at the KU Edwards Campus, including the new Dean’s Scholarship, and at K-State Olathe. 

Financial aid dates to remember:

Fall Semester Deadlines

December 1 FAFSA PRIORITY	May 1	June 1
File your FAFSA to qualify for limited-funded grants	Apply for admission to qualify for transfer scholarships	File your FAFSA to qualify for the JCERT or KUEC Campus scholarship

Spring Semester Deadlines

November 1	December 1
Apply for admission to qualify for transfer scholarships	File your FAFSA to qualify for the JCERT or KUEC Campus scholarship

In addition to being some of the best values per dollar for university students, KU and K-State continue to make furthering their education an affordable reality.