Colleges and Universities
Higher education is of utmost importance for Overland Park residents. Having higher educational institutions for our residents ensures a qualified workforce and gives working professionals opportunities to continue their education.
Johnson County Education Research Triangle
The Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) was created in 2008 by a 1/8-cent, voter-approved sales tax increase that supports focus on re
search, science and technology for the county. The KU Edwards Campus Business, Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) Building in Overland Park, Kansas State University International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute in Olathe and the KU Clinical Research Center in Fairway all receive funding from this tax to help with buildings, programs and research. The Triangle will have economic impact of more than $1.4 billion over the next two decades and will attract millions of dollars in private and public donations and research grants.
KU Edwards Campus BEST Building
University of Kansas – Edwards Campus
Opened in 1993, the KU Edwards Campus caters to working professionals and local area students who want to continue their education. With more than 2,000 students and 250 faculty members, KU Edwards offers undergraduate and graduate programs, focusing on late afternoon and evening classes to cater to the working professional. Programs include Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Social Welfare, Architecture, Design & Planning, Education and Journalism.
KU Edwards Campus structures include the Business, Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) building, a 75,000-square-foot, LEED-certified building that opened in Spring 2012. The BEST building, an initiative of the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT), houses undergraduate and graduate programs focused on business, engineering, science and technology.
The KU Edwards Campus also is home to the University of Kansas Confucius Institute, a prestigious international network of universities and institutions devoted to enhancing the understanding of Chinese language and culture in our region.
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College (JCCC), situated on 234 acres of land, is one of the country’s largest, single-site community colleges. Founded in 1969, JCCC has grown to more than 22,000 students, 1,000 full-time faculty and staff, and 1,900 adjunct faculty and part-time staff. While academia is JCCC’s main focus, the college also offers 18 intercollegiate sports, is home to the renowned Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and offers a premier Performing Arts Series in its theatre.
JCCC is nationally recognized for its academic programming and workforce development initiatives. The college offers more than 50 certificate programs and 400 continuing education courses. JCCC works directly with local companies, community members and economic development organizations to tailor training courses based on specific needs.
Johnson County Community College
JCCC program offerings include Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts, A/V Technology and Communications, Business Management and Administration, Education and Training, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Humanities and Social Sciences, Human Services, Information Technology, Public Safety, Corrections and Security, Manufacturing, Marketing, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics.
JCCC Education Centers:
Other Colleges and Universities: