Wichita State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Wichita, Kansas · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Wichita State University is a public university in Wichita, Kansas that admits about 72% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $13,194 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 51% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Wichita State University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1100 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,194 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Wichita State University?
52% of enrolled students at Wichita State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.38, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Wichita State University weight in admissions?
Wichita State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
SAT and ACT scores Wichita State University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 435–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 552. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 913 |
| 50th percentile | 1100 |
| 75th percentile | 1240 |
| % submitting SAT | 5.7% |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 21 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 69.4% |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Policy detail: Required for some
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 14.5% |
| Top 25% of class | 36.2% |
| Top 50% of class | 76.6% |
| % submitting class rank | 100% |
How much does Wichita State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,684 for in-state students and $19,869 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,420 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,194 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $7,793 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,458 |
| Room and board | $13,540 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $13,194 |
| Application fee | $40 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Wichita State University
| Notification date | Other: within 2 weeks of submission |
| Reply deadline | No set date |
Will my child graduate from Wichita State University?
These predict outcomes at Wichita State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Wichita State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Wichita State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Wichita State University confers roughly 1,033 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $66,435 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 287 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 154 | $66,435 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 139 | $57,299 |
| Psychology, General | 121 | $44,476 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 90 | $72,214 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 83 | $45,796 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 83 | $30,426 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 76 | $88,218 |
Is Wichita State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Wichita State University disclosed 27 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Wichita State University?
About 13% of undergraduates at Wichita State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 4% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Wichita State University
Common questions parents ask about Wichita State University
What GPA do I need for Wichita State University?
52% of enrolled students at Wichita State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.38, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Wichita State University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 435–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 552. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–25.
How much does Wichita State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Wichita State University after grants and scholarships is $13,194 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,684 and $19,869 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Wichita State University realistic for my child?
Wichita State University admits 72% of applicants, so 435–630 SAT Math is target range and below 435 is a reach. Then check the $13,194 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Wichita State University?
Wichita State University accepts about 72% of applicants out of roughly 9,270 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Wichita State University test-optional?
No. Wichita State University requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
What is the graduation rate at Wichita State University?
About 51% of students at Wichita State University graduate within six years. 72% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Wichita State University look for in applicants?
Wichita State University rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Wichita State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas.
What are the most popular majors at Wichita State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Wichita State University by annual graduates are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 1,033 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Wichita State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Wichita State University reported 27 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Wichita State University?
At Wichita State University, 13% of undergraduates live on campus, 4% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Wichita State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers