Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Wichita, Kansas
94.9% Acceptance Rate
Wichita State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.9%Acceptance Rate
3.48Avg GPA
1118Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$21,064Annual Cost
$51,532Grad Salary
29.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.9%
Avg GPA
3.48
Avg SAT
1118
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
970–1250
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Avg Net Price
$13,776
Need-Based Aid
29.7% receive Pell
Wichita State University is a public research university in Kansas that is widely recognized for its strong focus on "applied learning," industry partnerships, and professional innovation. Admissions prioritize high school academic performance and readiness for a dynamic, urban university environment. The university seeks ambitious students who are ready to contribute to its vibrant, diverse campus community and take advantage of its extensive array of research and professional networking opportunities.
Prospective students should highlight their consistency in academic work and their initiative in school or community organizations that require teamwork. As the university is deeply integrated with local industry, applicants who can connect their studies to real-world applications or professional outcomes often stand out. The admissions team values students who are not only academically prepared but also proactive and eager to leverage the university's unique, industry-linked academic resources to build a strong professional career.
Wichita State University Acceptance Rate
Wichita State University (WSU) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 94.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.48 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.03
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Wichita State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Wichita State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
WSU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Freshman scholarship priority: 2026/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
WSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at WSU is 3.48. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.18–3.48 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.68–3.88.WSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.48 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.08 – 3.27
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.07
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Assured admission requires either a 2.25+ unweighted GPA OR a 21+ ACT composite (1060+ SAT ERW+M); admission is test-optional overall.
- Every WSU degree includes a guaranteed applied learning or research experience integrated into the curriculum, not offered as a competitive add-on.
- The School of Business requires a separate 2.25 GPA for college-specific admission; College of Applied Studies and College of Health Professions have major-specific GPA requirements.
- NSF ranked WSU No. 1 nationally for aerospace engineering R&D and No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D, anchored by the 120+ acre Innovation Campus research park.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at WSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Wichita State University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Wichita State University (WSU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if WSU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into WSU Without SAT or ACT?
WSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Wichita State University Average SAT Score: 1118
The average SAT score of admitted students at Wichita State University is 1118 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1118 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Wichita State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 970, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at WSU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 550 | 480 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 490 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1118 | 970 | 1250 |
Below 970, you're behind most admitted students; at 1250 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Wichita State University (WSU) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of WSU's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Wichita State University (WSU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at WSU is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into Wichita State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of WSU's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at WSU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for WSU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
WSU's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Every WSU degree includes a built-in applied learning or research experience - this isn't optional enrichment, it's structural to the curriculum
Wichita State guarantees an applied learning or research experience as part of every degree program, giving students paid or credit-bearing work with employers in their field while still enrolled. For a student weighing WSU against schools where internships are competitive add-ons, this guaranteed structural component is a genuinely different value proposition worth naming specifically.
WSU's assured admission formula has two separate paths - make sure a borderline student knows both options, not just GPA
Freshmen are assured admission with either a 2.25+ unweighted GPA OR a 21+ ACT composite (1060+ combined SAT ERW+M), and admission is test-optional overall. A student with a GPA just under 2.25 shouldn't assume they're shut out - submitting a qualifying test score is a separate, equally valid path to assured admission.
If a student is interested in the School of Business, flag that it has its own GPA gate separate from general university admission
The School of Business requires a minimum 2.25 GPA for incoming students, a requirement distinct from and in addition to WSU's general assured-admission criteria, and the College of Applied Studies and College of Health Professions have their own major-specific GPA requirements. A student admitted to WSU broadly isn't automatically cleared for every college within it - confirm the specific college's GPA threshold for their intended major.
For aerospace or engineering-focused students, WSU's NSF ranking and Innovation Campus are concrete, current talking points - not just "strong engineering program" language
The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D and No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D, anchored by the Innovation Campus, a 120+ acre research/innovation park hosting global companies. For an aerospace or engineering-interested student, citing this specific ranking and the physical Innovation Campus is far more compelling than generic "good engineering school" framing, especially given Wichita's concentration of aerospace manufacturers.
Expert Insight:
The most common mistake is treating WSU's overall 95% acceptance rate as meaning every program inside the university is equally open - students aiming for the School of Business, or majors within the College of Applied Studies or College of Health Professions, can be admitted to WSU broadly and still face a separate, college-specific GPA requirement they didn't know existed.
WSU Profile
Full Name
Wichita State University (WSU)
City
Wichita
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
67260-0124
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a WSU Degree Worth It?
At $21,064/year against a $51,532 median graduate salary, WSU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.09%.
How much does a degree from WSU Cost?
The sticker price is $21,064/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $13,776.
29.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.9% take federal loans at WSU — file your FAFSA early and list WSU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a WSU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,532 — about 27% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Wichita State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Wichita State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Wichita State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at WSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About WSU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Wichita State University run about $51,532 a year.
At about $21,064 a year, Wichita State University is on the more affordable end.
About 29.7% receive a Pell Grant at Wichita State University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 94.9%, Wichita State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Wichita State University average a 3.48 GPA.
Wichita State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.18 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.08, Wichita State University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Wichita State University — aim above 1118, ideally within the 970–1250 range admitted students typically fall in.
Wichita State University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Freshman scholarship priority: 2026/12/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.