Wichita State University vs Southwestern College: which has better ROI?
Southwestern College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $119,296 in 16.4 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $55,646 vs $51,532 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wichita State University | Southwestern College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,194 | $29,824 |
| Total net cost | $52,776 | $119,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,532 | $55,646 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 16.6 yrs | 16.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $10,664 | $26,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Southwestern College?
Wichita State University, at $13,194 a year after aid versus $29,824 — a gap of $16,630 a year, or $66,520 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 Southwestern College graduates earn more?
Southwestern College graduates report a median $55,646 ten years after entry, $4,114 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 Southwestern College?
Wichita State University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Southwestern College, a difference of $4,500. 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 36% at Southwestern College. 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.