UCCS vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with Wichita State University in Wichita, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Wichita State University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; Wichita State University 19:1.

UCCS vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 UCCS ($14,228 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wichita State University are 3.9% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,420 vs. $12,918).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $465 more per year; $10,149.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at UCCS than at Wichita State University (about $4,467 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wichita State University than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (89% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wichita State University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($8,125 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 50 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Wichita State University 905/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Wichita State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than WSU (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 20.1% at WSU.

UCCS vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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).

• Wichita State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than University of Colorado Colorado Springs's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wichita State University graduates have a $499 lower median loan debt than UCCS graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,999).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCCS graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.