WSU vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

Compare Wichita State University in Wichita, KS with University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 15,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wichita State University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); University of Louisiana at Lafayette is in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting).
• Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wichita State University 19:1; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1.

WSU vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or UL Lafayette? 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than WSU ($13,017 vs. $14,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 2.5% lower than at Wichita State University ($12,108 vs. $12,420).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $734 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at UL Lafayette than at Wichita State University (about $4,277 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at Wichita State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 44.8% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($11,762 vs. $8,125).

WSU vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or UL Lafayette? 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 UL Lafayette and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 110 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming UL Lafayette 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: Wichita State University 905/1240; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 17/25; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at WSU vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

WSU vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and UL Lafayette? 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 Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($201 vs. $211).
• More WSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.