Wichita State University Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia

(Last Updated – 06/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Wichita State University is a public research institution that offers a variety of degrees. The school emphasizes real-world practical experience along with academics.

Wichita State University tuition in 2022-23 was $8,866 for in-state residents. This is below the national average of $10,940 for in-state tuition at public universities. The Wichita State tuition for out-of-state students was $18,226, which is significantly lower than the national average of $28,240.

Costs for 2022-2023

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.

Explore financial aid options: Kansas Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that 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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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 and federal and school deadlines may differ.

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

•  US 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 Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Of those students who use financial aid to help cover Wichita State University tuition, 48% have federal student loans. And 6% of students take out private student loans that average $11,287.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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 as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your 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

In-state students can expect to spend $104,504 over four years at Wichita State, based on 2022-23 figures. This projected cost includes Wichita State tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses. This is slightly lower than the national average of $106,760. For those who live out of state, the four-year Wichita State University cost would be $141,944, which is less than the national average of $175,960.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The cost of Wichita State tuition and fees for in-state undergraduates was $8,866. With the addition of room and board, the Wichita State University cost of attendance for the 2022-23 academic year was $21,476. Out-of-state students paid $18,226 for tuition and fees, and a total cost of attendance of $30,836.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Graduate study at Wichita State University cost $7,562 for in-state students, including tuition and fees. Students who live out of state paid $15,633 in tuition and fees for the 2022-23 academic year. By comparison, the national average cost for a Master’s degree at a public university is $29,150, according to Education Data.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour for in-state undergrads is $228.09 in the 2023 fiscal year, and $540.27 for nonresidents. To graduate within four years, students must take 31 credit hours per academic year. This means it will cost $7,070.79 in credit hours for in-state students, and $16,748.37 for those from out of state.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Average rate based on available apartments on the Wichita State University’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

Wichita State University offers three housing options for students. Shocker Hall is exclusively for first-year students; more than 800 students reside there each year. The Suites offers suite-style living and is also reserved for first-year students only.

For students who live off-campus, renting a studio apartment near the university costs an average of $500 per month, according to Rentable.com. Renting a unit might mean committing to a full 12-month lease.

Wichita State University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

A student’s chances of getting into Wichita State are good. The acceptance rate at the university is 91%.

Admission Requirements

To apply as a freshman at Wichita State University, you must fulfill certain requirements. These include meeting the minimum GPA, among other stipulations. The school has a rolling admissions policy and applications are processed year-round.

Required:

•  Cumulative 2.25 GPA or higher

•  High school transcript

•  Secondary school rank

•  TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language), if applicable

Recommended:

•  College-preparatory program

Interested students can apply through Wichita State’s online form.

SAT and ACT Scores

Submitting SAT or ACT standardized test scores isn’t a requirement for admission, but scores will be considered if you choose to provide them. Here’s a look at test scores of first-time students:

Popular Majors at Wichita State University

Wichita State provides its students with a variety of undergraduate programs, including Bachelor’s of Arts, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, and Bachelor’s of Science degrees. These are the top 10 majors at the school.

1. Elementary Education and Teaching

Designed for students who want to teach grades K-6, this program combines academic learning with hands-on classroom experience. It includes groundwork for core subjects, like English, math, social studies, science and art.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 272

2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is available to registered nurses and can be completed in three semesters. After obtaining a BSN, graduates can go on to positions like nurse midwife and nurse anesthetist

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 154

3. Business Administration and Management

Students pursuing this degree learn core business principles.The program is ideal for those who might be seeking a career at a firm or corporate institution, or who want to start their own business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 121

4. Psychology

Psychology majors learn how the human psyche works, diving deep into the subject through courses like cognitive psychology, and systems and theories. The program offers a flexible way forward — academically or professionally — via pre-law, business, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 112

5. Accounting

Students receive a foundation in business, including statistics and economics, as well as marketing and management courses in preparation for the Certified Public Accountants exam.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 89

6. Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering program provides students with a core engineering curriculum that has an emphasis in mechanics. Courses include mechanics of materials and heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 76

7. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies

A Criminal Justice degree provides a blend of classroom- and applied-learning. Students learn about criminal policy, criminal law and procedures, and they take targeted electives in their specific area of interest.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 76

8. General Studies

With this program, students can explore their multiple interests, choosing from one of the pre-structured areas of focus, like Aging Studies, Ethnic Studies, or Religion, in addition to two other areas of their choice. This tailored approach is designed to help students reach their unique professional goals.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 72

9. Social Work

Pursuing Social Work as a major lets students complete courses on social welfare policy and techniques and skills in general practice, while participating in practicum placement. Graduates can go on to practice as a generalist in social work, or continue toward an advanced degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 71

10. Computer Science

Wichita State’s Computer Science curriculum is for those who want to pursue a graduate degree or a career in robotics, programming, and computer research. It includes courses like calculus, physics, engineering, computer networking, hardware, and cybersecurity.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 68

Graduation Rate

These are the graduation rates at Wichita State University:

•  4 years: 23%

•  6 years: 50%

•  8 years: 54%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

The median earnings of Wichita State University graduates is $47,524, based on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. This is on target with the national average for graduates of $47,922.