All schools
PublicUrban

Wichita State University

WSU

Wichita, Kansas 67260-0124

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Wichita State University is a public institution in Wichita with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1118, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 10.5K undergraduates with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

51% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,532 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,776.

Established
1895
Mascot
WuShock
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

95%Acceptance
1118SAT Avg
10,493Students
20:1Student:Faculty
51%Grad Rate
$51,532Earnings 10yr
$13,776Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate94.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1118

Reading & WritingMid: 552
490630
MathMid: 550
480620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1826

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,322
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,240
Room & Board$13,790
Books & Supplies$1,250
Total Cost of Attendance$21,064
Average Net Price$13,776
Median Debt at Graduation$20,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,914
$30–48K$11,084
$48–75K$14,240
$75–110K$17,670
$110K+$18,751

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

65.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,700

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

80

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

20

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

7

Motor Vehicle Theft

8

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

21

Drug Arrests

16

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (193)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

68%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
10,493
Gender Split
56% / 44%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 57%
Black 6%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 8%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate51.4%
Freshman Retention67.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$44,043
10 Years$51,532

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Shockers

Bowling competesVolleyball teamsBasketballBaseball20032005Bowling

History & Fun Facts

  • Joseph Homer Parker founded a private women's Congregational preparatory school which was supported mainly by Wichita's Plymouth Congregational Church, Parker's church.
  • In early 1887, the project's leaders received a land parcel from the developers of the adjacent Fairmount Neighborhood and, in response, renamed their school Fairmount College.
  • In 1892, a corporation bought the property and named the preparatory school Fairmount Institute.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

102Above Average

Estimated from KS state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
175 mi(303 min)
Dallaspop. 1.3M
343 mi(595 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
390 mi(676 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

OKC Oklahoma City162 mi
MCI Kansas City177 mi
DFW Dallas-Fort Worth333 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1418 mi · ~40h 58m drive
New York, NY1260 mi · ~36h 24m drive
Hartford, CT1333 mi · ~38h 31m drive
Providence, RI1398 mi · ~40h 23m drive
Albany, NY1284 mi · ~37h 6m drive
Syracuse, NY1168 mi · ~33h 45m drive
Rochester, NY1098 mi · ~31h 43m drive
Buffalo, NY1031 mi · ~29h 47m drive
Philadelphia, PA1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Pittsburgh, PA945 mi · ~27h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA1107 mi · ~31h 59m drive
Newark, NJ1251 mi · ~36h 8m drive
Washington, DC1099 mi · ~31h 45m drive
Baltimore, MD1121 mi · ~32h 23m drive
Atlanta, GA773 mi · ~22h 20m drive
Charlotte, NC929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Raleigh, NC1040 mi · ~30h 3m drive
Miami, FL1297 mi · ~37h 28m drive
Orlando, FL1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Tampa, FL1092 mi · ~31h 33m drive
Nashville, TN590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
New Orleans, LA678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Richmond, VA1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Chicago, IL587 mi · ~16h 57m drive
Detroit, MI817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
St. Louis, MO390 mi · ~11h 16m drive
Kansas City, MO175 mi · ~5h 3m drive
Indianapolis, IN616 mi · ~17h 48m drive
Columbus, OH784 mi · ~22h 39m drive
Cleveland, OH869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
Milwaukee, WI615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Dallas, TX343 mi · ~9h 55m drive
Houston, TX561 mi · ~16h 12m drive
Austin, TX516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
San Antonio, TX577 mi · ~16h 40m drive
Los Angeles, CA1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
San Francisco, CA1369 mi · ~39h 33m drive
San Diego, CA1171 mi · ~33h 50m drive
Seattle, WA1435 mi · ~41h 27m drive
Portland, OR1410 mi · ~40h 44m drive
Denver, CO438 mi · ~12h 39m drive
Phoenix, AZ880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Honolulu, HI3747 mi · ~108h 15m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Wichita State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications