Wichita State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Wichita State University charges a net price of $13,194/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $52,776. Graduates earn a median $51,532 ten years after entry, $3,172/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 16.6 years — a 20-year net return of $10,664, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Wichita State University's 16.6-year payback ranks #1,002 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 22% of them, and #13 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,194/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $52,776 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,532 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $3,172/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 16.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $10,664 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Wichita State University's own numbers. Net price $13,194 × 4 years = $52,776 total. Median earnings $51,532 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $3,172 a year of premium. $52,776 ÷ $3,172 = 16.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $10,664. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Wichita State University students graduate with?
A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $51,532 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Wichita State University students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $52,776 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $103,482 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Wichita State University expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $13,194 net price runs $2,086 below the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, and $8,344 less across the full degree.