As the state’s most affordable research institution, Wichita State University is proud to open its doors to students from all walks. A big help in keeping costs low comes from Wichita itself. Kansas’ most populous city is also one of the most affordable in the region while still offering all of the amenities of a major metro. Looking at three online cost-of-living calculators from Forbes, Nerdwallet and AdvisorSmith and comparing the cost-of-living index between Wichita and several Shocker City Tuition Discount metro areas, it is no wonder more students from these areas are choosing Wichita State.

Students from northeast Kansas plus Missouri make up nearly 13 percent of WSU’s campus population, with a large chunk hailing from KC. The City of Fountains is a beautiful and growing area on the banks of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers – most likely why the cost-of-living is roughly two to six percent higher than Wichita. This is primarily due to rising rent and housing prices in the KC metro, estimated to be 31-43 percent higher than in Wichita.

Wichita State has seen a more than 350 percent growth in Texas students since 2010 thanks to five metro areas receiving in-state tuition rates as part of the Shocker City Partnership (DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Waco). DFW students in particular have benefited from a 12-15 percent lower cost-of-living in Wichita. Similar KC, rent and housing expenses are nearly 40-50 percent lower in Wichita, but the ICT also boasts 5-15 percent lower healthcare costs than in DFW, especially estimated doctors and dentist visits.

Another big Shocker City area, the Houston metro is estimated to be around 6-7 percent more expensive than living in Wichita. Housing is once again the bugaboo with rent in Houston averaging more than $300 per month higher in comparison.

Moving from the shadow of the Rockies to the plains could save you some coin. All three in-state tuition metro areas in Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo) are pricier than Wichita, but Denver packs the biggest punch. It is estimated that Denver is 19-22 percent more expensive with housing/rent costing a whopping 87-89 percent more.

Both Colorado and Nebraska students have benefited from Wichita State tuition discounts with both populations steadily growing over the past four years. Nebraska’s largest city is one of three where students who live in the metro receive in-state tuition at Wichita State, the other two being Lincoln and Grand Island. Omaha itself is estimated to have a 3-5 percent higher cost-of-living than Wichita thanks to more money spent on rent/housing mixed with marginally higher gas prices.

Be sure to read up on Wichita State’s costs of attendance, tuition discounts and scholarship opportunities for more ways studying in Kansas' largest city could save you money.