The increasing financial burden and growing focus on work experience are two large factors that beg the question, “Is college worth it?”

While higher education institutions across the U.S. look for solutions, Wichita State University has invested considerable resources to ease the cost to students. This includes offering Shockers opportunities to gain paid work experience right on campus while earning their degree that pays future dividends.

Research points toward the value of obtaining a bachelor's degree. In fact, a degree still holds value for about 93 percent of students in 2023, according to a report released by the Institution for Higher Education Policy. In 2019, Forbes reported that despite rising costs, an investment in a college degree delivers an inflation-adjusted annual return of more than 15 percent. These numbers should be taken with a grain of salt because each student’s situation differs from another’s. However, there is reputable data backing up a bachelor’s degree being a good investment.

On top of this, Gallup released a study not only pointing toward higher lifetime wages for students with college degrees, but also increased community engagement and improved cognitive skills.

Compared to other regional and national institutions, Wichita State offers significant savings on tuition costs. Thus, Shocker Nation boasts the title of Kansas's most affordable four-year public research institution. Students can estimate their net cost of attendance online.

This affordability is not only for Kansas students. Wichita State offers in-state tuition to students from 20 major metro areas across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois as part of the Shocker City Partnership. Students in those states outside of the metro counties receive a 33 percent out-of-state tuition discount.

Since 2014, Wichita State has gradually expanded its footprint to include the Innovation Campus – a space where partnering businesses and organizations work with students, staff, and faculty to provide real-world experiences and research. This is all within walking distance of Wichita State’s on-campus residence halls.

The ever-growing partnerships with WSU have given way to positive results. In 2023-24, Shockers earned more than $33 million in wages via nearly 10,000 positions from over 700 employers. In July 2023, Wichita State was a finalist for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards.

These applied learning positions help students earn a paycheck while gaining valuable work experience across virtually all disciplines.

In summary, although a college degree may seem costly, the data suggests that those who pursue a four-year education reap substantial long-term benefits. Additionally, accessible institutions like Wichita State offer students a chance to enrich their resumes, earn income and gain practical skills while furthering their education.