Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Graduate earnings at Wichita State University show steady growth from early to mid-career periods, demonstrating sustained earning power as alumni advance professionally. Median earnings begin at $44,043 six years after enrollment, rise to $47,823 at eight years, and reach $51,532 at ten years, representing 17.0% growth from the six-year mark.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $20,500 in debt with typical earnings.
Student debt levels at Wichita State University remain manageable relative to post-graduation earnings and peer comparisons. Median debt reaches $20,500, essentially matching the peer median of $20,000, indicating typical borrowing levels for similar institutions.
Wichita State University demonstrates well above average return on investment, ranking at the 78.2nd percentile for overall return performance. The university's strength lies in exceptional earnings beyond expectations, where graduates earn $16,327 more than predicted based on student demographics and institutional characteristics, placing it at the 92.1st percentile nationally.
Approximately 24.5% of Wichita State graduates continue to graduate or professional school, indicating that roughly one in four alumni pursue advanced...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate significant variation across fields, with engineering disciplines leading graduate income potential. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $79,722 annually, followed by Aerospace Engineering at $76,867 and Computer Science at $64,699, reflecting strong preparation in technical fields with robust regional and national job markets.
Business programs provide solid mid-range earnings, with Accounting Technology graduates earning $63,799 and Business Administration graduates earning $54,495. Health professions offer stable career outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning $58,674 and Dental Assisting graduates earning $51,656.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at Wichita State spans from $33,001 at the 25th percentile to $72,524 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects varied career outcomes across program choices and individual career paths. Low-income graduates earn $41,400, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
