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Wayne State University
Most applicants get into Wayne State University — 81.2% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Wayne State University sits in Detroit proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Biomedical/Medical Engineering, where graduates median $106,048 four years out. Faculty pay averages $145,992 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 15,587 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 82.7% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1040 and 1260 — above the MI middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Wayne State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Wayne State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1040–1260 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Wayne State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 530 | 580 | 640 |
| SAT Math | 510 | 560 | 620 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 25 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Wayne State University received 15,190 applications and admitted 12,461 (82%), with 2,988 enrolling.
How Wayne State University compares
| Wayne State University | Michigan median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 81.2% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $15,190 | $24,944 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,493 | $54,739 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Wayne State University's median earnings are $53,493 — below the Michigan benchmark of $54,739. Weigh that against the $15,190 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Wayne State University prices by residency: $15,190 in-state versus $32,037 out-of-state — a $16,847 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
15,587 undergraduates make Wayne State University a large campus: broad course catalogs and big intro lectures come as a package.
58.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 42% don't — ask a Wayne State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Wayne State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $106,048 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $104,630 |
| Industrial Engineering | $101,990 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $100,944 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $99,777 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $97,257 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $96,821 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,869 |
| Chemical Engineering | $93,047 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $92,707 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $84,695 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,405 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,157 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $80,630 |
| International Business | $79,882 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $78,391 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $74,703 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,940 |
| Marketing | $67,504 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $67,284 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $66,426 |
| Public Administration | $66,396 |
| Mathematics | $64,547 |
| Economics | $63,972 |
| Chemistry | $63,079 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | $62,954 |
| Political Science and Government | $61,466 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $61,121 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $59,025 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $58,915 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $58,871 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $58,743 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $58,291 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $58,182 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,335 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $57,203 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,423 |
| Social Work | $56,152 |
| Sociology | $55,499 |
| Public Health | $55,302 |
| Journalism | $54,188 |
| Psychology, General | $52,435 |
| Biology, General | $50,811 |
| Music | $50,340 |
| History | $50,251 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,506 |
| Anthropology | $48,230 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $46,737 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,585 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $42,551 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,271 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $38,926 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $35,157 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,525 |
Median earnings for these 54 Wayne State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,493 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 30 additional Wayne State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Wayne State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1040–1260 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 81.2% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Wayne State University's acceptance rate?
82% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 12,461 admitted from 15,190 applicants.
How much does Wayne State University cost?
In-state tuition is $15,190; out-of-state students pay $32,037. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Wayne State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,493 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Michigan
- Western Michigan University — 84.6% admitted
- Siena Heights University — 68.9% admitted
- Saginaw Valley State University — 72.1% admitted
- Kuyper College — 69.1% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.