Wichita State University vs Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology: which has better ROI?
Wichita State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $52,776 in 16.6 years versus not at all at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, on median earnings of $51,532 vs $38,679 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wichita State University | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,194 | $8,805 |
| Total net cost | $52,776 | $35,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,532 | $38,679 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 16.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $10,664 | -$228,840 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University or Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, at $8,805 a year after aid versus $13,194 — a gap of $4,389 a year, or $17,556 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 Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology graduates earn more?
Wichita State University graduates report a median $51,532 ten years after entry, $12,853 more than the $38,679 at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. 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 Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology: 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?
51% of students finish at Wichita State University, 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.