U of A vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with Wichita State University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 16,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

U of A vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or WSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wichita State University than U of A ($14,228 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wichita State University are 25.8% lower than at University of Arizona ($12,420 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $4,242 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.8% higher at U of A than at Wichita State University (about $22,409 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Wichita State University (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 69.6% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($13,776 vs. $8,125).

U of A vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or WSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSU and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 220 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming U of A students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman U of A students have the same average high school GPA (3.48) as students at WSU (3.48).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 20.1% at WSU.

U of A vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and WSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($196 vs. $211).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.