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Wayne State University

Name: Campus Visit
Start: 2026-06-24T10:00:00
Location: Wayne State University

WSU

Detroit, Michigan 48202

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Wayne State University is a public institution in Detroit with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1147, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 15.7K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

57% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,493 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,773.

Established

1868

Motto

"Industry, Intelligence, Integrity"

Mascot

"W" the Warrior

Type

Public research university

Conference

men's baseball

Division

Division II

Campus Visits

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82%Acceptance

1147SAT Avg

15,676Students

13:1Student:Faculty

57%Grad Rate

$53,493Earnings 10yr

$14,773Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate82.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1147

Reading & WritingMid: 575

530640

MathMid: 570

510620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25

2128

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,297

Tuition (out-of-state)$30,419

Room & Board$11,762

Books & Supplies$1,316

Total Cost of Attendance$26,794

Average Net Price$14,773

Median Debt at Graduation$21,250

Monthly Payment (10yr)$225

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,337

$30–48K$12,560

$48–75K$14,864

$75–110K$19,189

$110K+$21,543

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

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,597

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

120

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (301)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

15,676

Gender Split

59% / 41%

Women / Men

First Generation

38%

Pell Grant Recipients

43%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%

Black 17%

Hispanic 8%

Asian 14%

Two+ 4%

Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate56.5%

Freshman Retention81.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,207

10 Years$53,493

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

Rankings

U.S. News

#179

—

vs 2024

Forbes

#267

—

vs 2024

Wall Street Journal

#29

—

vs 2024

Washington Monthly

#227

—

vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Ice hockeyBaseballBasketballHockey program

History & Fun Facts

•History Anthony Wayne Wayne State University was established in 1868 as the Detroit Medical College by five returning Civil War veterans.
•The college charter from 1868 was signed by founder Theodore Andrews McGraw, M.
•In 1885, the Detroit College of Medicine merged with its competitor, the Michigan College of Medicine and they consolidated buildings.
•After the reorganization, McGraw became the first president and dean.
•In 1881, the Detroit Normal Training School for Teachers was established by the Detroit Board of Education.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from MI state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Detroitpop. 640K

2 mi(3 min)

Clevelandpop. 370K

92 mi(159 min)

Columbuspop. 900K

166 mi(288 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit18 mi

CLE Cleveland91 mi

CMH Columbus163 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA613 mi · ~17h 43m drive

New York, NY482 mi · ~13h 55m drive

Hartford, CT534 mi · ~15h 26m drive

Providence, RI598 mi · ~17h 17m drive

Albany, NY475 mi · ~13h 43m drive

Syracuse, NY355 mi · ~10h 15m drive

Rochester, NY282 mi · ~8h 9m drive

Buffalo, NY216 mi · ~6h 14m drive

Philadelphia, PA443 mi · ~12h 48m drive

Pittsburgh, PA207 mi · ~5h 59m drive

Harrisburg, PA352 mi · ~10h 10m drive

Newark, NJ473 mi · ~13h 40m drive

Washington, DC396 mi · ~11h 26m drive

Baltimore, MD398 mi · ~11h 30m drive

Atlanta, GA599 mi · ~17h 18m drive

Charlotte, NC507 mi · ~14h 39m drive

Raleigh, NC513 mi · ~14h 49m drive

Miami, FL1158 mi · ~33h 27m drive

Orlando, FL960 mi · ~27h 44m drive

Tampa, FL996 mi · ~28h 46m drive

Nashville, TN472 mi · ~13h 38m drive

New Orleans, LA941 mi · ~27h 11m drive

Richmond, VA447 mi · ~12h 55m drive

Chicago, IL236 mi · ~6h 49m drive

Detroit, MI2 mi · ~3 min drive

Minneapolis, MN540 mi · ~15h 36m drive

St. Louis, MO455 mi · ~13h 9m drive

Kansas City, MO643 mi · ~18h 35m drive

Indianapolis, IN241 mi · ~6h 58m drive

Columbus, OH166 mi · ~4h 48m drive

Cleveland, OH92 mi · ~2h 39m drive

Milwaukee, WI250 mi · ~7h 13m drive

Dallas, TX999 mi · ~28h 52m drive

Houston, TX1106 mi · ~31h 57m drive

Austin, TX1165 mi · ~33h 39m drive

San Antonio, TX1239 mi · ~35h 48m drive

Los Angeles, CA1978 mi · ~57h 9m drive

San Francisco, CA2086 mi · ~60h 16m drive

San Diego, CA1967 mi · ~56h 49m drive

Seattle, WA1931 mi · ~55h 47m drive

Portland, OR1963 mi · ~56h 43m drive

Denver, CO1153 mi · ~33h 19m drive

Phoenix, AZ1687 mi · ~48h 44m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1487 mi · ~42h 57m drive

Honolulu, HI4479 mi · ~129h 24m drive

Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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