Wichita State University
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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, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 94% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 51%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending Wichita State University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $19,869 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,194 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,734 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $20,500.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
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.
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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Wichita State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Wichita State University's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wichita State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, keeps admissions accessible, extending offers to roughly 94% of those who apply. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,092. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wichita State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Wichita State University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $19,869 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,194 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,734 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $20,500.
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 national averages for 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 useful read on 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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.55 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely 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.
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, with an economic connectedness score of 1.55 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note