Wichita State University vs Manhattan Area Technical College: which has better ROI?
Manhattan Area Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,296 in 11.5 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $51,864 vs $51,532 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wichita State University | Manhattan Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,194 | $10,074 |
| Total net cost | $52,776 | $40,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,532 | $51,864 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 16.6 yrs | 11.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,664 | $29,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College, at $10,074 a year after aid versus $13,194 — a gap of $3,120 a year, or $12,480 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 or Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn more?
Manhattan Area Technical College graduates report a median $51,864 ten years after entry, $332 more than the $51,532 at Wichita State University. 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 or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,500 at Wichita State University, a difference of $11,000. 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 Manhattan Area Technical College, against 51% at Wichita State University. 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.