discover how
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 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 to 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.
Lauren Coffman biomedical engineering major, Anticipated 2026 WSU Graduation, NASA Johnson Space Center Path-
Bella Kilman
marketing major, Anticipated 2026 WSU Graduation Rudd Foundation Marketing Coordinator
WICHITA STATEVALUE IS THEIN THE REGION. HIGHEST 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 in 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 among 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.
to check your new Wichita State 1 Beemailsureaccount regularly for updates to your
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aid package and additional requests from the Office of Financial Aid.
all Wichita State, regional and national 2 Exhaust scholarship opportunities by creating a profile at
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wichita.edu/ScholarshipUniverse
Financial Aid team is ready to help with 3 The one-on-one virtual assistance. Schedule today
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at wichita.edu/FinAidAppt
for dorm necessities for high school 4 Ask graduation gifts. Having a small fridge, bedding,
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and a coffeemaker saves you money before you even start classes.
Rafael Guereque
Kadrian Ayarza
Anticipated 2026 WSU Graduation, Wichita Police Department Intern
Anticipated 2026 Graduation, Ascension Nurse Intern
forensic science major,
nursing major,
SHOCKERS STAND OUT 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.
Luke Parrett
filmmaking major, 2025 WSU Graduate, Multimedia Producer for KAKE TV
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 lockdown powerful internships and post-college careers.
Karaline Scott
electrical engineering major, Anticipated 2028 Graduation, Environmental Engineering
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.
Santiago Carbajal
computer engineering major, Anticipated 2028 WSU Graduation NetApp Intern
Kaylan Richardson, elementary education major, Anticipated 2026 WSU Graduation, Wichita USD 259 Student Teacher