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Wichita State University brings about 15,000 Shockers to the northeast side of Wichita, Kansas, a city that's big enough for real nightlife and concerts but keeps a friendly, easygoing feel. Campus has its own gravity, anchored by the growing Innovation Campus where students work alongside aviation and tech employers. The Arkansas River runs through the city, and Riverside Park spreads across both banks with trails and the Keeper of the Plains standing where the rivers meet. Student life leans on traditions like Hippodrome, the spring skit show that's run since 1928, plus Shocktoberfest in fall and Welcomefest each semester. Campus sits a short drive from downtown, College Hill, and the Delano district, and most Shockers get around by car since the city spreads out.
Wichita State requires first-year students to live in university housing for their first two semesters unless they are approved for an exemption. The requirement covers the full freshman year. Most students move off campus once that first year is complete.
You request an exemption through a housing exemption form, with common grounds including living at home with family in the area, being an older or married student, or transferring in with prior college experience. After the first year, students often move into the apartment complexes just north of campus along Oliver and 21st Street or out toward Rock Road. The Wichita rental process is straightforward, with a tour, application, deposit, and an income or credit check, sometimes with a guarantor if you are new to renting.
Watch the lease term and what is included. Some student-focused complexes lease by the bed and bundle utilities, while many standard Wichita apartments lease the whole unit and bill utilities separately. Confirm before you sign and read the subletting clause, and use the WSU off-campus housing marketplace, which vets listings.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Wichita State University before signing a lease.
Wichita is less cutthroat than a tiny college town, but the best student spots still go early. The complexes right by campus on Oliver and 21st Street, near the Suites and Flats, see strong demand. Start touring in the winter or early spring for an August move-in. Most students at WSU who want a close-in unit begin looking over the winter.
If you want a specific unit or a house with roommates, aim to sign by February or March. Classes start in mid-to-late August, so that is the standard move-in. Demand concentrates on the complexes nearest campus, so those fill first during this window. Locking a roommate group early improves your odds on the best spots.
Because Wichita is a full-size city with a lot of general apartment stock, late searchers have more fallback options than students at smaller schools. You can often find something in summer, just with less selection near campus. Spring openings and summer sublets show up as students graduate or leave for internships. Check the WSU off-campus marketplace first, then branch out to the broader Wichita listings if you are flexible on distance.
The complexes just north of campus on Oliver and 21st Street keep you closest to class and tend to fill first. They are the default for students who want the shortest commute.
College Hill, south of campus, is a leafy, established neighborhood about ten to fifteen minutes away. It offers houses and older apartments with a settled, residential feel.
Riverside, northwest near the Arkansas River and Riverside Park, draws students who want green space and character. It pairs a walkable park setting with proximity to the water.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A shared room or a bed in a student complex near WSU usually runs about $450-$750/month per person. Older spots and shared houses farther out toward Rock Road land at the bottom, while newer complexes near campus on Oliver and 21st Street sit higher. Plan on another $40-$100/month for utilities if they aren't included.