A Shocker investment goes further

Discover how Wichita State can make a difference in your future.

Why college pays off

College graduates tend to:

  • Earn more: College grads earn 75% more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.
  • Stay employed: They experience higher employment rates, especially during economic downturns.
  • Live healthier, longer lives: College grads have greater access to healthcare and longer life expectancy.
  • Build wealth: They're more likely to own a home, have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans and achieve long-term financial stability.
  • Open more doors: A college degree expands your professional network, helping you land your next job, pivot careers and kick-start entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Enjoy more lifestyle perks: College grads tend to have more access to flexible work arrangements, paid vacation time and employer-funded travel.

Choose college. The return on your investment pays off.

Sources: Forbes.com, Georgetown University, U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, College Board and Public Policy Institute of CA.

How your investment in Wichita State goes further

As a student at Wichita State, you'll have access to unparalleled resources and opportunities. All the services below are provided at no additional charge to students.

  • The Shocker Career Accelerator provides LinkedIn profile coaching, interview prep, a professional career closet, career fairs galore and access to an internship and post-college job board where companies are eager to meet our students.
  • We've got your tickets to all home NCAA Division I athletic competitions as the Shockers take on universities from all over the country.
  • Put your money away! WSU students can ride Wichita Transit city buses with just a Shocker ID.
  • Get creative with your membership at GoCreate, a Koch collaborative. Students can work on personal or professional projects with their membership to GoCreate, which includes 3D printers, embroidery machines, laser cutters, metalworking equipment and a T-shirt printer.
  • Access to Kansas' largest city, affordable cost of living and paid internships in a giant network of companies and nonprofit organizations year-round.
  • Membership to 11 area YMCAs, including the newest facility right on our campus.
  • Tickets to fine arts performances and exhibitions, speaking engagements with government, media and business leaders, plus performances from award-winning artists on campus.

Wichita State is the most affordable research university in Kansas and the highest value in the region. See wichita.edu/shockervalue to see how we stack up against other universities in our region.

While making the investment in college results immeasurable gain, many students need loans to cover the costs of tuition, fees and living expenses. Rest assured that Shockers graduate owing less.

Wichita State grads have the least debt amount all research university grads in Kansas and 55% below the national college debt average (which translates to a savings of about $17,000). To help fund their time at WSU, more than 85% of our freshmen receive financial aid with $120+ million awarded annually to our students.

Tips

  1. Be sure to check your new Wichita State email account regularly for updates to your aid package and additional requests from the Office of Financial Aid.
  2. Exhaust all Wichita State, regional and national scholarship opportunities by creating a profile at wichita.edu/scholarshipuniverse.
  3. The Financial Aid team is ready to help with one-on-one virtual assistance. Schedule today at wichita.edu/finaidappt.
  4. Ask for dorm necessities for high school graduation gifts. Having a small fridge, bedding and a coffeemaker saves you money before you even start classes.

Shockers stand out

At Wichita State University, every graduate is guaranteed to have applied learning experiences seamlessly integrated into their degree program.

These experiences might include internships, co-ops, community projects, clinicals and various other opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application.

Through these hands-on encounters, students gain invaluable insights into their chosen career fields before they officially graduate.

See how Shocker students and grads have used their Wichita State education to lock down powerful internships and post-college careers.

  • Students worked in 12,300+ applied learning experiences, including internships and on-campus jobs
  • Students earned approximately $39.2 million in applied learning experiences
  • Students worked with approximately 700 employers

Visit, explore and join Shocker Nation

Check wichita.edu/seniorsteps to see what's next on your checklist.

Get a sneak peek of our 330-acre campus at wichita.edu/virtualtour.

Watch a segment about WSU's affordability from Amazon Prime's The College Tour streaming series at wichita.edu/ctaffordability.