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Wright State University

About Wright State University

  • Wright State University is a public research university located in Fairborn, Ohio (just outside Dayton).

  • It was founded in 1967 (though its roots go back earlier) and was named in honour of the aviation pioneers Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright. 

  • The university offers a broad array of programmes: more than 340 academic programmes (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional) across six colleges and a medical school.

  • It has two main locations: the main campus in Dayton/Fairborn and a branch “Lake Campus” located on the shore of Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina, Ohio.

 

Why Choose Wright State University (for International Students)

  • Welcoming environment & support for international students: The university’s University Center for International Education (UCIE) supports international admissions, visa/I-20 processing and orientation. They state “You Are Welcome Here” and highlight help from airport pickup through graduation.

  • Affordability and value: WSU is ranked among the top 8% of universities worldwide for best value for international students.

  • Strong STEM and professional programmes: Many programmes in engineering, computer science, business, health sciences are active and growing. For example the College of Engineering & Computer Science emphasises design/innovation and offers 4+1 options.

  • Good international credentials: WSU is ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide for international student programmes (per Study Abroad Aide).

  • Flexible learning modes: WSU offers online/distance learning as well as on campus options (see below). These can be useful if you need flexibility or start from abroad.

 

University Ranking & Reputation

  • As noted, among international-student-friendly universities WSU is in the top 7–8% globally.

  • According to WSU’s “About” page: “Wall Street Journal ranks Wright State top public university in Ohio for student experience”.

  • WSU is classified as a Carnegie “Research 2” university (high research activity) which signals that it is more than a teaching-only institution

 

Campus Locations

  • Dayton/Fairborn Campus (Main Campus): Located about 8 miles northeast of downtown Dayton.

  • Lake Campus (Celina, Ohio): A branch campus on Grand Lake St. Marys, offering smaller class sizes, affordable tuition and undergraduate programmes.

  • The Dayton location gives you proximity to urban amenities, while the Lake Campus offers a quieter more regional setting.

  • Student accommodation, campus services and transportation are available (especially on the main campus).

 

Types of Courses (Study Levels) & Number of Programmes Offered

  • WSU offers undergraduate (bachelor’s), graduate (master’s, doctoral, professional) programmes plus certificates and micro-credentials.

  • Number of programmes: WSU’s Quick Facts page says “more than 340 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional academic programmes.”

  • A breakdown from one source: 106 bachelor’s programmes, 67 master’s, 8 doctoral, etc (though these numbers may vary by year/program).

  • For example, the main campus is reported to offer ~244 programmes of various levels (certificates through doctorate) with ~28 available fully online in a given data set.

 

Mode of Learning (On-site / E-learning / Blended)

  • On-campus (in-person): Most programmes have traditional classroom delivery at the Dayton or Lake campuses.

  • Online & blended learning: WSU offers online/distance education: e.g. the main campus data shows 33 programmes available via distance/online.

  • Hybrid / blended formats: While specific programmes vary, WSU supports online/hybrid models and even virtual exchange courses (see below).

  • For international students, if you plan to study on F-1 visa you will likely need on-campus enrollment; however, WSU’s flexibility may help in transitional phases (such as online courses from abroad, subject to visa rules).

 

Highlights & Strengths

  • WSU has a good mix of academic programmes, especially in engineering, business and health sciences. The Raj Soin College of Business is AACSB-accredited.

  • The university emphasizes research, experiential learning, internships, industry partnerships (especially given proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and tech/engineering companies).

  • Global & exchange opportunities: e.g., WSU hosts study abroad fairs and virtual student exchange programmes with Kenya, Tanzania and Poland.

  • A large number of international students: For Fall 2024, over 1,600 international students from 67 countries enrolled — record intake.

  • The institution’s value proposition: relatively lower tuition compared to many U.S. universities and good support for international students.

 

Latest Updates & What to Watch

  • WSU introduced seven new or restructured undergraduate degrees (in May 2024) in areas such as engineering technology, environmental studies, health sciences and agriculture.

  • The University News noted the large international student intake and increased study abroad activity in 2024.

  • On modes of delivery: WSU supports virtual student-exchange courses (COIL) linking classrooms across countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Poland) supporting globalized learning.

  • The main campus tuition & fees for non-residents (2024-25) are indicated in some sources: e.g., $21,222 for out-of-state undergraduates.

  • Rankings: WSU ranked top public university in Ohio for student experience (by Wall Street Journal) as of Oct 2025.

  • Online programme availability: Data shows 28–33 programmes are available via distance/online from the main campus.

 

Practical Next Steps for You (If You’re Considering WSU)

  1. Pick your programme/major: Go to WSU’s “Explore Wright State” or programme catalogue pages and choose 2-3 majors you are interested in (undergraduate or graduate).

  2. Check admission requirements for international students: Submit transcripts, English proficiency, visa/I-20 documentation. WSU’s International Admissions page is helpful.

  3. Check eligibility for scholarships: Make sure you meet the GPA/credit/F-1 visa/tuition surcharge criteria for the merit scholarships described above.

  4. Consider mode of delivery & location: If you plan to live in the U.S., ensure on-campus housing or commuter arrangements; if you need online/hybrid flexibility from abroad, check which programmes offer that.

  5. Budget and cost planning: Though WSU is relatively affordable, remember to budget for tuition + non-resident surcharge (for international students) + living/housing + books/transport.

  6. Connect with UCIE (University Center for International Education): They offer guidance on arrival, visa status, orientation, and integration into campus life.

Scholarship

There are three main sources of institutional international funding at Wright State:

  1. The Center for International Education (UCIE) — runs merit scholarships specifically for international students (both undergraduate and graduate) and coordinates UCIE scholarships and ambassador awards. UCIE publishes scholarship applications and criteria.

  2. Enrollment Services / Financial Aid Office — lists undergraduate and graduate international scholarship programs (amount ranges, renewal rules) and runs the broader scholarship inventory for admitted students.

  3. Academic departments / colleges — graduate assistantships, departmental scholarships, and program awards are decided by departments; many include tuition remission and stipends. Departments nominate students for some university-level awards (like Graduate Council Scholars).

 

Main scholarships & amounts (what they are and who gets them)

UCIE Undergraduate Merit Scholarships (incoming students)
Wright State’s UCIE merit program recognizes outstanding international first-year and transfer undergraduates. These scholarships are renewable and generally range from $6,000 to $10,000 per year, and can be awarded for up to eight semesters if renewal criteria are met. They are intended for students admitted on an international (F-1) visa who completed secondary education outside the U.S.

 

UCIE Graduate Merit Scholarships (incoming graduate students)
For first-time international graduate students, UCIE/Financial Aid lists a merit scholarship band of roughly $2,500 to $5,000 per year, normally granted for up to four semesters if renewal standards are maintained. These awards are intended to recognize academic strength at admission.

 

International Alumni Scholarship ($10,000)
Wright State provides a $10,000 annual scholarship for F-1/J-1 international students who previously completed a Wright State bachelor’s or master’s and wish to return for a second degree. Applicants usually must have at least a 3.0 GPA at admission; this award cannot be combined with other Wright State-funded scholarships or assistantships.

 

UCIE / Campus International Awards (small donor scholarships & ambassador awards)
UCIE also administers smaller awards and donor-funded scholarships (typically a few hundred to a few thousand dollars). These may require an essay, a GPA minimum (often 3.0), and sometimes service or promotional activity on campus (e.g., serving as an international ambassador). The UCIE scholarship application PDF details selection criteria and obligations.

 

Graduate assistantships (TA/RA/GA)
Graduate assistantships are common funding routes for international graduate students. They usually include tuition remission for instructional fees (policy allows remission up to an agreed number of credit hours) plus a stipend (amounts vary by program; examples range roughly from around $8,000 per year up to stipend packages tied to Graduate Council Scholar awards of ~$13,000 for certain nominees). Assistantships are offered by departments and require a separate application to the academic program. International students with F-1/J-1 visas accepted for assistantships must obtain a Social Security card to be paid and must follow UCIE and HR procedures.

 

Eligibility & renewal — what Wright State checks

  • Visa status / residence: Many UCIE awards require you to be on an F-1 or J-1 visa and in valid status. The UCIE application spells out visa-status requirements (e.g., must be on a student visa).

  • Academic merit: Merit scholarships look at academic records. Undergraduates are evaluated on secondary-school performance; graduates on prior university GPA. Typical renewal GPA thresholds in UCIE documents are 3.0 for undergraduates and 3.25 for graduate scholarship renewal, although exact thresholds depend on the award.

  • Full-time enrollment: Most scholarships require full-time registration to receive and renew awards. Graduate assistantships also require enrollment and adherence to workload rules in the assistantship agreement.

  • Duration & renewability: Undergraduate UCIE merit awards can continue up to eight semesters if criteria are met; graduate UCIE merit awards commonly cover up to four semesters. The International Alumni Scholarship is annual and generally renewable only as specified (and cannot be combined with some other funding).

 

Cost of attendance & planning

Wright State publishes international undergraduate tuition and fees and an estimated cost of attendance. As an example from the university’s international tuition page, tuition for an international undergraduate full-time semester was listed as $11,000 per semester (plus an international student fee and estimated living expenses). Use the university’s posted cost tables to calculate how much scholarship will reduce the amount you need to show for I-20/visa. Scholarships reduce your expected out-of-pocket but rarely cover all living costs.

 

Practical tips to maximize chances

  • Apply early — many merit awards consider admitted students on a rolling or deadline basis; early admission improves consideration.

  • Build a strong academic file — transcripts, graded courses, and strong prior GPA matter most for UCIE merit awards. For graduate applicants, a strong research/academic statement and references improve chances for assistantships.

  • Prepare a scholarship essay — several UCIE and donor awards ask for a one- to two-page essay describing academic/professional goals and reasons for study at Wright State. The UCIE application gives examples of past prompts.

  • Apply to departmental assistantships early and ask departments about typical stipend/tuition remission amounts and whether international students are commonly appointed.

  • Confirm stacking rules — some awards (e.g., the International Alumni Scholarship) cannot be combined with other Wright State funds; always check the award letter.

Programs

Dayton, USA