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Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology vs Bellus Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Wichita KS · vs · Private for-profit, Manhattan KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology comes closer — median earnings $38,679 against a $35,220 total, vs $25,223 at Bellus Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and TechnologyBellus Academy
Net price / yr$8,805$26,631
Total net cost$35,220$106,524
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,679$25,223
Median debt$9,500$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$228,840-$569,264

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy?

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, at $8,805 a year after aid versus $26,631 — a gap of $17,826 a year, or $71,304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology graduates report a median $38,679 ten years after entry, $13,456 more than the $25,223 at Bellus Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy?

Bellus Academy: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, a difference of $1,583. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Bellus Academy, against 43% at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology vs Bellus Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy a better value?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology: $8,805/yr net price after aid versus $26,631/yr at Bellus Academy — a difference of $17,826 a year, or about $71,304 over four years.
Do Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology graduates earn a median $38,679 ten years after entry, versus $25,223 at Bellus Academy — a $13,456 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.