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Wichita State University vs Ottawa University-Ottawa: which has better ROI?

Public, Wichita KS · vs · Private nonprofit, Ottawa KS

The verdict

Ottawa University-Ottawa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,852 in 15.6 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $51,532 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWichita State UniversityOttawa University-Ottawa
Net price / yr$13,194$27,963
Total net cost$52,776$111,852
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,532$55,552
Median debt$20,500$21,500
Payback16.6 yrs15.6 yrs
20-year net return$10,664$31,988

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

Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Wichita State University, at $13,194 a year after aid versus $27,963 — a gap of $14,769 a year, or $59,076 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 Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates earn more?

Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $4,020 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 Ottawa University-Ottawa?

Wichita State University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Ottawa University-Ottawa, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

51% of students finish at Wichita State University, against 28% at Ottawa University-Ottawa. 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 vs Ottawa University-Ottawa: frequently asked questions

Is Wichita State University or Ottawa University-Ottawa a better value?
Ottawa University-Ottawa. It clears its $111,852 net cost in about 15.6 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $51,532 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Ottawa University-Ottawa?
Wichita State University: $13,194/yr net price after aid versus $27,963/yr at Ottawa University-Ottawa — a difference of $14,769 a year, or about $59,076 over four years.
Do Wichita State University or Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates earn a median $55,552 ten years after entry, versus $51,532 at Wichita State University — a $4,020 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.