Wichita State University Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university located in Wichita, Kansas. It offers over 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study across six colleges. Known for its emphasis on applied learning, WSU fosters innovation through partnership with industry and research initiatives. Athletically, WSU’s Shockers compete in NCAA Division I within the American Athletic Conference. The campus also features the Ulrich Museum of Art, renowned for its outdoor sculpture collection.

Total Cost of Attendance

Wichita State University tuition in 2024-25 for state residents was $9,684. This is lower than the national average of $11,260 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, Wichita State tuition was $19,869, which comes in well below the national average for out-of-state tuition of $29,150.

Tuition, however, is only part of the total cost of attending college. Here’s a look at other expenses students can expect when attending Wichita State University.

Financial Aid

To help with the Wichita State University cost, 89% of full-time undergraduate students receive some type of financial aid. This includes federal and state grants, scholarships, and student loans.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Finder – Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

Private Student Loans

A large share of students (40%) tap student loans to help pay the Wichita State tuition and other costs: 41% take out federal loans, and 5% get private student loans (with an average amount of $12,064).

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The Wichita State University cost of attendance for four years — including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses — is $107,656 for in-state students (based on 2024-25 numbers). By comparison, the national average at public universities for in-state students is $115,360 for four years.

For out-of-state residents, the four-year cost for attending Wichita State is $148,396. This is lower than the national average of $186,920 for out-of-state cost of attendance.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2024-25

Wichita State University undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year were $9,684 for in-state students, a 3.9% increase over 2023-24. The tuition and fees for out-of-state students were $19,869, a 3.3% increase over 2023-24.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for graduate students at Wichita State for 2024-25 averaged $7,986 for in-state students and $16,873 for out-of-state students. This is a good deal for both residents and nonresidents: The average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S. is $22,430 per year.

There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour at WSU is $250.97 for Kansas residents and $590.46 for nonresidents.

Campus Housing Expenses

WSU housing includes Shocker Hall (traditional housing for first-year students), The Suites (suite-style housing for first-year students), and The Flats (an upperclassmen-only apartment complex).

Students can also apply for a Living Learning Community (LLC), which is a group of students who choose to live together to enjoy a built-in support system of mentoring, networking, and an enhanced sense of community.

Costs for 2024-25

•   Housing and food expenses (on campus): $12,420

•   Housing and food expenses (off campus): $13,030

•   Other living expenses (on/off campus): $3,560

Total living expenses for 2024-25 came to an estimated $15,980 for students who lived on campus and $16,590 for those who lived off campus.

Wichita State University Acceptance Rate

Wichita State University is not selective, with an acceptance rate of 95%.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen are assured admission to Wichita State if they meet the following:

Required:

•   Have a cumulative 2.25 or higher GPA on a 4.00 scale, OR

•   Achieve an ACT composite of 21 or higher OR a minimum combined SAT ERW+M score of 1060 (test optional for admission)

Those who don’t meet the guaranteed admission requirements are still encouraged to apply. Your application will be reviewed individually.

To apply to Wichita State as an incoming freshmen, you’ll need to:

•   Complete the application (either the WSU application or Common App)

•   Have official high school transcripts sent directly to WSU

•   Have ACT or SAT scores sent directly to WSU (if submitting)

•   Pay a on-refundable $40 application fee

Wichita State has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are processed as they are received. Students should apply early, prior to the semester they want to begin taking classes.

You can expect to receive a decision from WSU within two weeks after the Office of Admissions receives all of the necessary application materials.

SAT and ACT Scores

Though submitting test scores is optional at WSU, it can be helpful to know the average scores of accepted students who chose to submit their scores.

Here are the standardized test scores of students who enrolled in Fall 2023 at the 25th and 75th percentiles.

Popular Majors at Wichita State University

WSU offers a wide variety of undergraduate degrees and majors. Here’s a look at 10 of of the most popular areas of study:

1. Elementary Education

The B.A in Elementary Education prepares students to become certified teachers in grades K-6. This four-year program includes two years of general education followed by two years of teacher education. It focuses on providing a strong foundation in core academic subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and the arts.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 226

2. Nursing

Wichita State offers both a traditional B.S. in Nursing (BSN) and an accelerated BSN program. The traditional program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and graduate studies in nursing. The accelerated program is a compressed version, allowing students to complete their BSN in as little as 13 months.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 125

3. Business Administration

The Business Administration major is a broad-based undergraduate program that prepares students for various careers in business, including general management, entrepreneurship, and work within corporations. Students can specialize by pursuing a minor in a specific business discipline.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 110

4. Psychology

Psychology majors gain a broad understanding of human behavior, cognition, and social interactions. The program prepares students for diverse career paths and graduate studies. It’s also well-suited for double majoring in fields like pre-law, social work, and business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 103

5. Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering major prepares students for careers in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. The program focuses on design, analysis, and the development of processes for manufacturing. It is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 79

6. Accounting

WSU offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting through their Barton School of Business. Students receive a foundation in business, including statistics and economics, as well as marketing and management courses in preparation for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 79

7. Biological Sciences

The Biological Sciences major at WSU offers a range of options for students interested in different areas of biology. Students can pursue a B.A or B.S. degree with an emphasis in biological / biomedical, biochemistry, or ecological / environmental / organismal areas. This major prepares students for professional careers or graduate school.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 72

8. Computer Science

The Computer Science major is a B.S. degree that focuses on the principles and use of computers. Students learn to design, develop, and test computer programs and systems, and apply mathematical methodologies to solve computational tasks. They also have the opportunity to specialize in areas like intelligent systems, software engineering, data sciences, information security, e-commerce, and biomedical computing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 70

9. Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice major offers a B.S. degree with a focus on the criminal justice system, criminal behavior, and related fields. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical, applied learning opportunities, including internships with local and federal agencies. The program is also available in a flexible online format.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 68

10. General Studies

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree allows students to design a customized plan of study across multiple departments or even colleges within the university. This degree is designed for students with diverse interests or those who may not fit neatly into a traditional disciplinary major.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 76

Graduation Rate

While many WSU students complete their degree in four years, some take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

•  4 years: 31%

•  6 years: 51%

Post-Graduation Average Earnings

The average annual salary for Wichita State University graduates is $76,000. This is higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.