Head-to-head · 2026
Independence Community College vs Wichita State University
Compare average net price ($3,265 at Independence Community College; $13,194 at Wichita State University), ROI score (26.75 vs 9.76), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($34,941 vs $51,532), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Independence Community College; 94% at Wichita State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Independence Community College | Wichita State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 26.75 ✓ | 9.76 |
| Avg net price | $3,265 ✓ | $13,194 |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,060 ✓ | $52,776 |
| In-state tuition | $4,560 | $9,684 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,950 | $19,869 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $34,941 | $51,532 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 94% |
| Graduation rate | 26.3% | 51% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 43.9% | 69.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,115 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 486 | 10,780 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1092 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Independence Community College | Wichita State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,934 ✓ | $9,734 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,435 ✓ | $9,696 |
| Family income $48–75k | $1,685 ✓ | $13,564 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,220 ✓ | $16,893 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $19,184 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Independence Community College | Wichita State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.8% | 4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.6% | 6.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1% | 7.7% |
| Psychology, General | 2% | 3.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1% | 2.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1% | 2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1% | 1.5% |
| Biology, General | 0.5% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Independence Community College reports the lower average net price by $9,929 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,716 difference over four years ($13,060 vs $52,776).
Wichita State University reports $16,591 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,532 vs $34,941). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 43.9% at Independence Community College and 69.3% at Wichita State University. Median federal debt among completers is $6,115 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Independence Community College vs Wichita State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Independence Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,265 per year vs $13,194 at Wichita State University. The annual difference of $9,929 adds up to about $39,716 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Wichita State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,532 vs $34,941 at Independence Community College. The gap in the federal data is $16,591. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.