WSU vs. USAO

Comparable Facts

Compare Wichita State University in Wichita, KS with University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wichita State University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting).
• Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wichita State University 19:1; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1.

WSU vs. USAO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than WSU ($8,070 vs. $14,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 11.9% lower than at Wichita State University ($10,940 vs. $12,420).
• Wichita State University is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USAO (about $684 more per year; $9,684.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at USAO than at Wichita State University (about $321 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at Wichita State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 60.8% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($13,068 vs. $8,125).

WSU vs. USAO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 120 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming USAO 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: Wichita State University 905/1240; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 17/25; University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; USAO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at USAO (3.43).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at WSU vs. 35.7% at USAO.

WSU vs. USAO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and USAO? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's (39%).
• Graduates from Wichita State University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,800 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More WSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.