Dear Shockers,
Wichita State has requested and received approval from the Kansas Board of Regents for a 2.5 percent tuition increase. The increase will average to $82 more each semester for students taking 15 credit hours.
I wanted to take the time to clarify any potential concerns:
- In 2016, state lawmakers cut 4 percent of Regents' universities' budgets. That budget has yet to be restored to its pre-2016 levels, while our operating costs have continued to rise.
- The increase in tuition will be used to offset mandatory expenditure increases in student retention and enrollment efforts; employee fringe benefits; utility costs; and for faculty promotions.
- There will also be a 0.9 percent increase in mandatory fees that will be used for student activities, program enhancements, etc. that are paid for by student fees.
- Per state law, the increases will NOT be used for other costs, such as construction of new buildings / infrastructure, improvement to current buildings or industry partnerships.
- With the tuition increase, Wichita State will still have the state's lowest tuition compared to KU, K-State and other public research institutions.
We're all on the same team, and we understand that increases are unwelcome. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at provost@wichita.edu.
Sincerely,
Richard Muma, WSU provost