Acceptance Rate
94%
Avg. SAT
1240
75th percentile
“Hands-on aviation and engineering hub in the world's Air Capital, delivering practical degrees at public-university prices.”
Wichita, KS
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
Wichita State University traces its roots to 1895, when locals established Fairmount College as a private institution before it became municipal in 1926 and joined Kansas's state system in 1964. Nestled in Wichita, the largest city in Kansas and self-proclaimed Air Capital of the World, the university sits amid a landscape dominated by aircraft manufacturing giants like Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Textron Aviation. You'll find a pragmatic personality here—direct, focused on real-world skills rather than abstract prestige—that suits students who prioritize career prep over residential college nostalgia. Career-driven undergraduates, often from Kansas or nearby states, blend with commuters who treat campus as a launchpad; those seeking a tight-knit, traditional quad life might find the urban sprawl less immersive. The surrounding metro area offers a low cost of living compared to coastal cities, though hot summers, cold winters, and relentless prairie winds test everyone's resolve.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
Wichita State shines in aerospace engineering, aeronautical technology, and mechanical engineering, where students dive into hands-on projects tied to the local aviation industry through the National Institute for Aviation Research. Classrooms mix mid-sized lectures with labs that simulate aircraft design and testing, fostering a culture of applied problem-solving over pure theory. You'll encounter collaborative group work in business and innovation programs at the W. Frank Barton School, but popular engineering tracks fill quickly, sometimes delaying access for undeclared students. Nursing and education programs also draw crowds, with clinical placements in city hospitals providing early real-world exposure. Large introductory courses can feel impersonal at first, especially with over 13,000 undergraduates, yet upper-level seminars offer direct faculty mentoring.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
13,313 undergrad • 3,376 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
49%
Black / African American
5%
Hispanic / Latino
13%
Asian
6%
Other / Multi-racial
27%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Wichita, KS
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses around Shocker athletics, particularly men's basketball at Koch Arena, where packed games create electric energy amid a commuter-heavy student body. A typical week mixes classes, club meetings, and off-campus hangs in Wichita's breweries or Old Town district, with weekends often spilling into city festivals or road trips to nearby lakes. Residential options like dorms and apartments house about a third of undergrads, offering standard suite-style living, but many students commute and build social circles through 300-plus organizations. The vibe stays low-key and approachable—no intense Greek scene dominates—though the urban edge means navigating traffic and fewer late-night campus walks. Winters bring indoor tailgates, while mild falls support outdoor rec like disc golf along the Arkansas River.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
American Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
69%
4 Years Graduation Rate
36%
6 Years Graduation Rate
51%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$51,532
69% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Wichita State University and return in the fall. 36% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 51% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
36%
4-5 years
15%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
47%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$6,848
Acceptance
94%
Undergrads
13,313
4-Year Grad Rate
36%
Endowment
$331M
Wichita, KS 67260-0124
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