Residents of the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas now can attend Wichita State University for the same cost as Kansas residents.

The new tuition assistance program - called Shocker City Partnership - applies to residents of the following counties in Oklahoma: Canadian, Cherokee, Cleveland, Creek, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.

“We’ve taken nonresident tuition costs out of the equation and think this will help expand Shocker Nation in an intentional and meaningful way,” says WSU Director of Admissions Bobby Gandu.

The tuition rate, which applies to undergraduate and graduate students, will be effective starting in the spring 2016 semester.

Gandu says the new program - along with the recently announced Shocker Select tuition discount for Oklahoma and Texas residents - makes Wichita State the most affordable large research university in the area.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve opened up the door to Wichita State to prospective students and families in Oklahoma City and Tulsa," Gandu says. "There are talented students in these communities, and now they can have even more affordable access to our academic programs and student life."

Students can get more information by visiting www.wichita.edu/shockercity. Information on specific tuition rates can be found at www.wichita.edu/tuition.