Wichita State University
#3 Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,532 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,194 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Kansas.
Every $1 spent returns $23.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,192,112.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 26% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Wichita State University Matters
Wichita State University is a public research university in Wichita, KS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 10,780
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Wichita State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 905–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,194 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,532 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 65% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Wichita State University is an accessible option for those looking to explore a range of fields. If you’re interested in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities, or Engineering, this university can cater to your academic ambitions. It’s a great fit for students seeking a supportive environment where they can dive deep into their chosen discipline without the pressure of an overly selective admissions process.
After graduation, the financial outlook is promising, with alumni earning an average of $51,532 within a decade of completing their degrees. That’s a solid income that reflects the university's focus on practical, career-oriented programs. While the graduation rate sits at 51%, many students find their footing and experience upward mobility in their careers, especially in high-demand fields like healthcare and engineering.
Financially, the cost of attendance is manageable, with a net price of $13,194 after aid. The median debt for graduates is $20,500, which is relatively low compared to many other institutions. Students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the university's strong community ties and internship opportunities, especially in the local economy of Wichita. This makes it an attractive choice for those looking to balance affordability with potential career growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Wichita State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wichita State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1092
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 905–1240
- ACT Range
- 17–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,205
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 8,899
- Admitted
- 8,441
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wichita State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wichita State University is $19,869, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,194. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,734 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,684
- Out-of-State
- $19,869
- Avg Net Price
- $13,194
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,734
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,696
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,564
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,184
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Wichita State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Wichita State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wichita State University earn a median of $51,532, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,043
- 8 Years
- $47,823
- 10 Years
- $51,532
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (360)
- 25%
- 100% (360)
- 25%
- 100% (360)
- 25%
- 100% (360)
- 25%
How Wichita Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Wichita State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Wichita State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,194/year ($52,776 total). Graduates earn $51,532 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,244,888 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,192,112 (23.6× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,776
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,244,888
- Net Return
- $1,192,112
- ROI Multiple
- 23.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,194
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Wichita State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Wichita State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. About 7.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.21%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $117,387
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $176,842
Top Programs
The fields Wichita State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 16% $72,840 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $60,556 early-career
- Education 11% $48,282 early-career
- Humanities 11% $21,491 early-career
- Engineering 10% $82,387 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $36,378 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $27,574 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Wichita State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wichita State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wichita State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wichita State University is $19,869, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,194. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,734 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Wichita State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wichita State University earn a median of $51,532, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Wichita State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Wichita State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. About 7.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Wichita State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wichita State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Wichita State University.
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · Close peer54% grad $52,416 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS · Close peer48% grad $48,928 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ToledoToledo, OH · Close peer56% grad $50,632 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH · Close peer50% grad $52,131 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Wichita State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wichita State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note