Wichita State University and the Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) are celebrating record-breaking enrollment this fall, continuing a decade of extraordinary growth. Over the past 10 years, WSU has grown 27.3% and WSU Tech 101.5%. That momentum is reflected in this fall’s historic headcount of 25,147 students — the highest in university history.
According to data from the Kansas Board of Regents, Wichita State’s main campus enrollment increased 4.3%, from 17,700 in 2024 to 18,458 in 2025. That’s the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State, marking five consecutive years of enrollment growth at Wichita State. Additionally, student credit hour production is at an all-time high at 170,521, an increase of 2.3% increase from 2024.
WSU Tech also reported its highest headcount and credit hours in the history of the college with 6,689 students, a 9.5% increase, and 60,211 credit hours, a 9.2% increase. This marks the first semester WSU Tech has surpassed both 6,500 students and 60,000 credit hours.
“This surge in enrollment reflects what we’ve known all along: When you prioritize access, affordability and student success, students will choose Wichita State,” said Dr. Rick Muma, WSU president. “In my 30 years at Wichita State, I’ve seen steady progress, and the past decade has brought remarkable growth thanks to our focus on innovation, partnerships, and creating opportunities that matter for students and for Kansas.”
The enrollment data highlights an emerging trend in higher education: a sharp increase in professional learners. These are students who often seek credentials, certificates and badges that advance their careers rather than pursuing traditional undergraduate or graduate degrees.
“The way people pursue education is changing,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, Wichita State senior executive vice president and provost. “More learners are looking for credentials that fit their lives and careers, and employers are asking for talent with specific skills. Wichita State is committed to meeting both needs by offering flexible pathways that give students options to advance while helping Kansas businesses grow their workforce.”
It’s also notable that the number of returning students to WSU has increased 5% over fall 2024. This reflects several Wichita State initiatives, including the Shocker Comeback Program, resources available at the Shocker Success Center, the Student Early Alert System, and the focused efforts of WSU’s faculty and staff toward student persistence and retention.
WSU Tech also marked its fifth consecutive year of enrollment growth, driven by the addition of new programs, new locations and the availability of state-funded initiatives that make college more accessible and affordable. Excel in CTE, which provides high school students tuition-free access to college technical courses, and Kansas Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that covers tuition, fees and books in eligible programs, are helping to remove cost barriers and expand access for students across the state.
“WSU Tech exists to serve students and to serve our community,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, WSU Tech president. “This record enrollment growth shows that more people than ever are choosing technical education as their pathway to success. It’s proof that our programs are not only changing lives but also directly meeting workforce needs in high-wage, high-demand careers. Together, with our industry partners and the state, we are building a stronger workforce for our community and a stronger Kansas.”
Wichita State enrollment highlights
- Wichita State University achieved its fifth consecutive year of historic enrollment growth with 18,458 students. This is a 27.5% increase in headcount in the past 10 years, demonstrating Wichita State’s commitment to applied learning and growing the talent pipeline.
- Credit-hour production rose 2.3% from 166,735 to 170,521, another historic high for the university.
- Enrollment grew from 3,403 to 4,116 students among professional learners, with credit hour production rising 35%. These include students who might not be working toward a degree, but rather a career-advancing credential or pursuing personal growth.
- By Kansas Board of Regents’ full-time equivalency, Wichita State measured at 11,798 FTE, a 2.3% increase since last fall. This FTE marks the highest in Wichita State history.
- Enrollment from the Shocker City Partnership and Shocker Select programs — which offer discounted tuition to students from the Midwest — climbed to a record 1,727 this fall, a 14.8% increase. There were notable increases among students from Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma — a direct result of WSU’s tuition discount program that offers in-state tuition to students in eight other states.
- First-generation students — or students who are the first in their family to attend college — accounted for 47.5% of Wichita State’s enrollment.
- Wichita State’s Teacher Apprentice Program grew 6.7% since last fall. This program is currently preparing 743 para educators for licensure as a Kansas teacher.
- 1,634 students entering college for the first time – the fifth year in a row that WSU has exceeded 1,600 students.
- Hispanic students account for 18.9% of total enrollment, an increase of 0.7% in the past year.
- Graduate student enrollment reflected a 3.9% increase.
- There was an 8% increase in fall-to-fall persistence (retention) among undergraduate students, a reflection of Wichita State’s student-centered focus.
- Overall enrollment from Sedgwick County is up 3.3%.
- WSU Tech continues to serve as a strong transfer partner into WSU with 891 students studying at WSU this fall compared to 804 last fall: a 10.8% increase.
WSU Tech enrollment highlights
- WSU Tech reports its highest total headcount and credit hours in the history of the college for any fall semester, with 6,689 students, a 9.5% increase, and 60,211 credit hours, a 9.2% increase. This marks the first fall semester WSU Tech has surpassed both 6,500 students and 60,000 credit hours.
- Fall 2025 represents the largest adult enrollment in WSU Tech’s history, measured by headcount and credit hours.
- High school enrollment set new records this semester with the highest ever credit hours and the largest fall semester headcount in the college’s history.
- WSU Tech’s full-time equivalent (FTE) reached 4,014, surpassing the 4,000 mark for the first time.
- A record 527 recent high school graduates enrolled directly at WSU Tech this fall. This is the first time that number has exceeded 500, and it represents a 21% increase compared to last year. This milestone underscores WSU Tech’s role as a top choice for students pursuing technical education immediately after graduation.
- WSU Tech enrolled 3,431 high school students in fall 2025, an 11.5% increase compared to last year. Together, these students are earning 23,891 credit hours, more than 3,100 additional hours than fall 2024. This represents the largest high school enrollment in WSU Tech’s history and highlights the ongoing success of the State of Kansas’ Excel in CTE program in expanding access to technical education.
- WSU Tech continues to see strong enrollment gains in high-demand programs. Headcount growth includes automotive service up 26.8%, business up 23.7%, alternative fuels up 69.4%, welding up 12.7%, culinary up 40.8%, professional pilot up 129.6%, aviation maintenance up 10.3%, and climate and energy control up 13.6%. These increases reflect the regional demand for skilled workers and WSU Tech’s continued investment in advanced training opportunities.
- Electrical Technology launched with 45 students. Mobile Equipment, in its first full fall semester, enrolled 93 students, an increase of 181% compared to last year. Mental Health Technician, a new program, enrolled 11 students in its first semester, establishing an important foundation to meet growing workforce needs.
- FutureReady Centers, a partnership with Wichita Public Schools, enrolled 384 students this fall at their Manufacturing, Healthcare and new IT centers.
- The new partnership with the Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) in Pittsburg, KS launched with 144 students enrolled, signaling strong momentum for technical education access in the region.
- In the 2025 to 2026 academic year to date, 426 WSU Tech students have received scholarships through the State of Kansas’ Kansas Promise scholarship program.
See the Kansas Board of Regents announcement
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
Follow Wichita State on social media:
