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Wright State University-Main Campus

Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Suburban

Known for business — excellent value

Wright State University-Main Campus is a public institution in Dayton with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1086, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 6.3K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

46% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $49,500 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,216.

Established
1967
Motto
Ad docendum, Investigandum, Serviendum
Mascot
Gray Wolf, Raider personified as Rowdy Raider
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

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

Plan Your Visit

95%Acceptance
1086SAT Avg
6,330Students
15:1Student:Faculty
46%Grad Rate
$49,500Earnings 10yr
$15,216Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate95.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1086

Reading & WritingMid: 555
470620
MathMid: 543
443610

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1725

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,188
Tuition (out-of-state)$20,606
Room & Board$10,900
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$23,255
Average Net Price$15,216
Median Debt at Graduation$22,750
Monthly Payment (10yr)$241

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,987
$30–48K$11,722
$48–75K$15,828
$75–110K$19,191
$110K+$20,250

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

58.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,854

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

43

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

5

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

13

Drug Arrests

9

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (248)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

63%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
6,330
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 71%
Black 12%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 3%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate45.9%
Freshman Retention62.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,229
10 Years$49,500

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#230
vs 2024
Forbes
#198
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#246
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Wright State University first opened in 1964 as a branch campus of Miami University and Ohio State University, occupying only a single building.
  • Groundwork on forming the institution began in 1961 during a time when the region lacked a public university for higher education.
  • A community-wide fundraising effort was conducted in 1962 to establish the university, and the campaign raised the $3 million needed in seed money.
  • The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1965 that transformed the branch campus into a separate institution with its own Advisory Committee on November 5, 1965.
  • It was anticipated the campus would achieve full independent status by 1967 with its rapidly increasing enrollment of full-time students, projected to reach 5,000 within two years.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

92Average

Estimated from OH state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
58 mi(101 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
111 mi(192 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
172 mi(298 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati60 mi
CMH Columbus64 mi
IND Indianapolis119 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA700 mi · ~20h 13m drive
New York, NY534 mi · ~15h 26m drive
Hartford, CT611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
Providence, RI676 mi · ~19h 32m drive
Albany, NY571 mi · ~16h 30m drive
Syracuse, NY468 mi · ~13h 31m drive
Rochester, NY407 mi · ~11h 45m drive
Buffalo, NY344 mi · ~9h 56m drive
Philadelphia, PA472 mi · ~13h 38m drive
Pittsburgh, PA220 mi · ~6h 21m drive
Harrisburg, PA381 mi · ~11h drive
Newark, NJ525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Washington, DC380 mi · ~10h 59m drive
Baltimore, MD398 mi · ~11h 30m drive
Atlanta, GA417 mi · ~12h 3m drive
Charlotte, NC361 mi · ~10h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC405 mi · ~11h 42m drive
Miami, FL994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Orlando, FL792 mi · ~22h 53m drive
Tampa, FL823 mi · ~23h 47m drive
Nashville, TN290 mi · ~8h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA759 mi · ~21h 56m drive
Richmond, VA390 mi · ~11h 16m drive
Chicago, IL236 mi · ~6h 49m drive
Detroit, MI184 mi · ~5h 19m drive
Minneapolis, MN591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
St. Louis, MO338 mi · ~9h 46m drive
Kansas City, MO563 mi · ~16h 16m drive
Indianapolis, IN111 mi · ~3h 12m drive
Columbus, OH58 mi · ~1h 41m drive
Cleveland, OH172 mi · ~4h 58m drive
Milwaukee, WI300 mi · ~8h 40m drive
Dallas, TX857 mi · ~24h 45m drive
Houston, TX942 mi · ~27h 13m drive
Austin, TX1013 mi · ~29h 16m drive
San Antonio, TX1086 mi · ~31h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA1917 mi · ~55h 23m drive
San Francisco, CA2055 mi · ~59h 22m drive
San Diego, CA1896 mi · ~54h 46m drive
Seattle, WA1965 mi · ~56h 46m drive
Portland, OR1982 mi · ~57h 15m drive
Denver, CO1109 mi · ~32h 2m drive
Phoenix, AZ1606 mi · ~46h 24m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1462 mi · ~42h 14m drive
Honolulu, HI4449 mi · ~128h 32m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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