Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 51.4%
- Retention Rate
- 67.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $51,532
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $110,878 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $104,749 | $64,510 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Master | $80,022 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $78,114 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $76,460 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $20,738 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $68,422 | $66,364 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $68,219 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,784 | $19,710 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,990 | $21,865 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,328 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $61,303 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,318 | $20,585 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $54,032 | $20,500 |
Outcomes Overview
WSU graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $20,500 and earn $51,532 within ten years. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 40%, which sits below the concerning 50% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $217 consume about 5% of typical graduate income. The university's strong engineering programs feed into Kansas's aerospace industry, with Boeing and other manufacturers recruiting heavily from campus. The 95.6% employment rate reflects solid job placement. Many Shockers find work in engineering, business, and healthcare across the Midwest. While the 51% graduation rate raises concerns about completion, those who finish benefit from affordable tuition and decent earning potential. WSU offers an average return on investment.