Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Wichita State University

Wichita State delivers solid engineering outcomes at a reasonable price, though it trails Kansas's flagship universities. Starting at $77,435, graduates earn slightly below both the national median ($77,710) and Kansas average ($78,758)—placing this program at the 40th percentile among the state's three engineering programs. The $22,500 median debt matches the state average but sits below the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that graduates can manage comfortably within their first year of work.

The gap to KU ($81,330) and K-State ($78,758) isn't trivial—roughly $1,300 to $4,000 less in starting salary—but the earnings trajectory shows steady growth to $82,574 by year four. For families prioritizing access and affordability, Wichita State's 95% admission rate makes engineering education achievable for students who might not gain entry to more selective programs. The university serves a substantial Pell grant population (30%) while still placing graduates into professional engineering roles.

If your student has options at KU or K-State, those programs show marginally stronger outcomes. But Wichita State offers a legitimate path into electrical and communications engineering with manageable debt and earnings that support a middle-class lifestyle from day one. The value here is straightforward: accessible admission plus industry-relevant training equals stable employment without financial strain.