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Wichita State University vs Tabor College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Tabor College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,820 in 14.2 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $54,058 vs $51,532 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWichita State UniversityTabor College
Net price / yr$13,194$20,205
Total net cost$52,776$80,820
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,532$54,058
Median debt$20,500$23,887
Payback16.6 yrs14.2 yrs
20-year net return$10,664$33,140

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

Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Tabor College?

Wichita State University, at $13,194 a year after aid versus $20,205 — a gap of $7,011 a year, or $28,044 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 Tabor College graduates earn more?

Tabor College graduates report a median $54,058 ten years after entry, $2,526 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 Tabor College?

Wichita State University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,887 at Tabor College, a difference of $3,387. 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 34% at Tabor 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.

Wichita State University vs Tabor College: frequently asked questions

Is Wichita State University or Tabor College a better value?
Tabor College. It clears its $80,820 net cost in about 14.2 years versus 16.6 years at Wichita State University, on median earnings of $54,058 vs $51,532 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Tabor College?
Wichita State University: $13,194/yr net price after aid versus $20,205/yr at Tabor College — a difference of $7,011 a year, or about $28,044 over four years.
Do Wichita State University or Tabor College graduates earn more?
Tabor College graduates earn a median $54,058 ten years after entry, versus $51,532 at Wichita State University — a $2,526 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.