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Wayne State College

WSC

Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Wayne State College is a public town institution in Wayne, Nebraska. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A mid-sized campus of 3K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $47,075 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,108.

Established
1910
Type
Public college
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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Acceptance
SAT Avg
3,041Students
19:1Student:Faculty
56%Grad Rate
$47,075Earnings 10yr
$15,108Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,970
Tuition (out-of-state)$7,970
Room & Board$9,624
Books & Supplies$1,488
Total Cost of Attendance$21,310
Average Net Price$15,108
Median Debt at Graduation$19,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$201

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,461
$30–48K$11,502
$48–75K$14,607
$75–110K$17,749
$110K+$17,721

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

62.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-4.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,240

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

20

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (40)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
3,041
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 78%
Black 3%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate55.7%
Freshman Retention73.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,857
10 Years$47,075

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#96
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Wayne State College was preceded by the Nebraska Normal College, which opened on November 21, 1891.
  • Pile died in 1909, and control of the college was transferred to his son, Fred M.
  • The college added the Wayne Teachers College in 1921.
  • In 1933, during the Great Depression in the United States, Wayne State had laid-off half of its staff due to a funding crisis.
  • In 1949, the Nebraska State Legislature changed the name of the college to the Wayne State Teacher's College after the name had been used unofficially years prior.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from NE state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
252 mi(437 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
266 mi(461 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
437 mi(757 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City236 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul263 mi
STL St Louis424 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1321 mi · ~38h 10m drive
New York, NY1192 mi · ~34h 26m drive
Hartford, CT1246 mi · ~36h drive
Providence, RI1309 mi · ~37h 49m drive
Albany, NY1182 mi · ~34h 9m drive
Syracuse, NY1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Rochester, NY985 mi · ~28h 27m drive
Buffalo, NY922 mi · ~26h 38m drive
Philadelphia, PA1145 mi · ~33h 5m drive
Pittsburgh, PA890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
Harrisburg, PA1052 mi · ~30h 23m drive
Newark, NJ1183 mi · ~34h 11m drive
Washington, DC1071 mi · ~30h 56m drive
Baltimore, MD1084 mi · ~31h 19m drive
Atlanta, GA902 mi · ~26h 3m drive
Charlotte, NC995 mi · ~28h 45m drive
Raleigh, NC1080 mi · ~31h 12m drive
Miami, FL1486 mi · ~42h 56m drive
Orlando, FL1289 mi · ~37h 14m drive
Tampa, FL1282 mi · ~37h 2m drive
Nashville, TN690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
New Orleans, LA933 mi · ~26h 57m drive
Richmond, VA1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Chicago, IL482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Detroit, MI713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN266 mi · ~7h 41m drive
St. Louis, MO437 mi · ~12h 37m drive
Kansas City, MO252 mi · ~7h 17m drive
Indianapolis, IN591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Columbus, OH746 mi · ~21h 33m drive
Cleveland, OH789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Milwaukee, WI466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Dallas, TX654 mi · ~18h 54m drive
Houston, TX867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
Austin, TX828 mi · ~23h 55m drive
San Antonio, TX889 mi · ~25h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA1280 mi · ~36h 59m drive
San Francisco, CA1374 mi · ~39h 42m drive
San Diego, CA1281 mi · ~37h drive
Seattle, WA1286 mi · ~37h 9m drive
Portland, OR1292 mi · ~37h 19m drive
Denver, CO450 mi · ~13h drive
Phoenix, AZ1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Salt Lake City, UT776 mi · ~22h 25m drive
Honolulu, HI3768 mi · ~108h 51m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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