Detroit, MI
Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan, a large city. The university enrolls approximately 15,587 undergraduates and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.
Wayne State University admits 81.8% of applicants, a minimally selective process. Applicants typically have an average high school GPA of 3.40 and ACT scores in the 21-28 range.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 5,494 | 4,457 | 81.1% | 1,029 |
| Women | 8,555 | 7,122 | 83.2% | 1,601 |
Wayne State University admits 81.2% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wayne State University's cost of attendance is $35,116, while the average net price students pay is $12,766, meaning most students pay significantly less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $225.
After aid, Wayne State University costs $12,766 a year — about 13% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wayne State University has a graduation rate of 57.5%. Six years after entry, median earnings are $45,207, increasing to $53,493 by ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 366 |
| Public Health, General | 204 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 192 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 181 |
| Organizational Behavior Studies | 166 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 159 |
| Finance, General | 152 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain... | 144 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 123 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 122 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Wayne State University are $50,384, and 61% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Wayne State University students earn $45,207 — 2% less than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit's large city setting with an undergraduate enrollment of 15,587 students. The student body includes 45.7% Pell grant recipients and 37.6% first-generation students, with women comprising 58.8% of enrollment.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
404 of 12,464 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
1,299 of 16,117 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,653 of 7,436 graduate students.
Wayne State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and operates its own medical school.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 2.4 miles from the center of Detroit. There are 14 other colleges within 25 miles, and Detroit, MI is 2.4 miles away.
Wayne County scores 10.2 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 3.9% of Detroit's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Wayne State University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Wayne State University reported 7 arrests and 41 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Wayne State University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Wayne State University has an acceptance rate of 81.8%. Out of 15,190 applicants, 12,461 were admitted, with 2,988 students enrolling.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 530-640 on SAT reading and writing and 510-620 on SAT math. The middle 50% ACT composite range is 21-28.
The average high school GPA of admitted students at Wayne State is 3.40.
The total cost of attendance is $35,116. Tuition and fees are $32,037, though the average net price after aid is $12,766.
Wayne State serves a diverse student body with 45.7% of students receiving Pell grants and 37.6% being first-generation students. The median federal debt at graduation is $21,250.
At Wayne State, 37.8% of students borrow federal loans. The median federal debt at graduation is $21,250, and the three-year loan repayment rate is 38.3%.
Wayne State University has a graduation rate of 57.5%.
Median earnings for graduates are $45,207 at six years after entry and $53,493 at ten years after entry.
Wayne State has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. The undergraduate enrollment is 15,587 students.
Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan, a large city. The student body is 58.8% women, with 37.6% first-generation students.