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Wayne State University (WSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Wayne State University

Shaped by Minoru Yamasaki's modern lines and a calm reflecting pool, Wayne State pairs Detroit's energy with a neighborly feel. It's known for strengths across health and human services, engineering and computing, the sciences, arts, education, business, and law. Students tap labs and studios, performance spaces, lively libraries, a student center, residence halls, and a full-service rec center, plus advising, tutoring, counseling, and first-gen support.

Student life is hands-on and urban: clubs run late, intramurals fill the courts, and theaters, galleries, and coffee shops sit nearby. The culture feels grounded, collaborative, and welcoming to commuters and residents alike. Career prep stays practical with research, co-ops, clinicals, and internships tied to Detroit hospitals, courts, manufacturers, startups, and nonprofits. And the city doubles as a classroom. Distinctive touchstones include the McGregor complex. Alumni include Lily Tomlin and Judge Damon J. Keith.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
42 W. Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan, 48202, USA
Website
wayne.edu
Unit ID
172644

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a large city (population of 250,000 or more)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R1 (Very High Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$15,464
Tuition $13,660 + Fee $1,804
Out-of-State
$33,158
Tuition $31,354 + Fee $1,804
Student Profile
Total Students 23,553
Undergraduate 15,676
Graduate/Other 7,877
Male: 9,393 Female: 14,160
Applications
Total Applicants 15,190
Admitted 12,461
Enrolled 2,988
Acceptance: 82% Yield: 24%
Staff
Total Staff 6,166
Full-time 4,649
Part-time 1,517
Full-time: 75.4% Part-time: 24.6%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Wayne State University (WSU) offers 158 degree programs across 29 major academic fields, graduating approximately 6,563 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (10 programs, 1,358 graduates), Health (31 programs, 1,251 graduates), Psychology (6 programs, 464 graduates), Engineering (10 programs, 425 graduates) and Public Services (2 programs, 367 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (10 programs, 1,358 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 277
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
52.0201
Marketing Management 213
Bachelor's
52.1401
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 192
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0203
Organizational Behavior 179
Bachelor's
52.1003
Finance, General 165
Bachelor's
52.0801
Accounting 147
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0301
Management Information Systems 141
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
52.1201
Management Science 31
Master's
52.1301
Labor and Industrial Relations 12
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1002
Entrepreneurship Studies 1
Post-Master's
52.0701
Health (31 programs, 1,251 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Medicine 258
Doctorate (P)
51.1201
Public Health 250
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
51.2201
Registered Nursing 181
Bachelor's
51.3801
Communication Sciences and Disorders 77
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
51.0201
Pharmacy 76
Doctorate (P)
51.2001
Health Professions and Related Sciences 53
Bachelor's
51.9999
Physician Assistant 46
Master's
51.0912
Physical Therapy 36
Doctorate (P)
51.2308
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 26
Master's
Doctorate (P)
51.3810
Occupational Therapy 25
Master's
51.2306
Medical Radiologic Technology 24
Bachelor's
51.0907
Nurse Anesthesia 24
Doctorate (P)
51.3804
Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology 17
Bachelor's
51.1005
Nursing Practice 16
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
51.3818
Substance Abuse Counseling 15
Post-Master's
51.1501
Pediatric Nursing 15
Master's
Doctorate (P)
51.3809
Pathology Assistant 14
Master's
51.0811
Family Practice Nursing 14
Doctorate (P)
51.3805
Health Behavior 13
Bachelor's
Master's
51.2212
Nursing Education 10
Post-Master's
51.3203
Maternal and Child Health Nursing 10
Master's
Doctorate (P)
51.3806
Dietetics 9
Master's
51.3101
Genetic Counseling 8
Master's
51.1509
Audiology 7
Doctorate (R)
51.0202
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design 7
Master's
Doctorate (R)
51.2003
Health Physics 5
Master's
51.2205
Public Health Nursing 5
Master's
51.3811
Athletic Training 4
Master's
51.0913
Nursing Science 3
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
51.3808
Nurse Midwifery 2
Doctorate (P)
51.3807
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling 1
Master's
51.2310
Psychology (6 programs, 464 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 399
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.0101
School Psychology 24
Master's
Post-Master's
42.2805
Applied Behavior Analysis 15
Master's
Other Award
42.2814
Counseling Psychology 12
Master's
42.2803
Industrial-Organizational Psychology 11
Master's
42.2804
Educational Psychology 3
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.2806
Engineering (10 programs, 425 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 125
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.1001
Mechanical Engineering 99
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.1901
Industrial Engineering 52
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.3501
Biomedical Engineering 50
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0501
Civil Engineering 49
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0801
Chemical Engineering 28
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0701
Engineering 14
Master's
Post-Master's
14.9999
Computer Engineering 6
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0901
Environmental Health Engineering 1
Master's
14.1401
Manufacturing Engineering 1
Master's
14.3601
Public Services (2 programs, 367 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Work 340
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
44.0701
Public Administration 27
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
44.0401
Education (14 programs, 359 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Secondary Education and Teaching 75
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1205
Elementary Education 68
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1202
School Counseling and Guidance 55
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.1101
Educational Leadership and Administration 33
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 29
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
13.1314
Special Education Teaching 20
Bachelor's
13.1001
Teacher Education and Professional Development 19
Master's
13.1299
Educational and Curriculum Supervision 18
Master's
13.0404
Instructional Technology 18
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0501
Curriculum and Instruction 10
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0301
Health Education Teacher Preparation 7
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1307
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching 5
Postbac Cert.
13.1401
English Language Arts Teacher Education 1
Master's
13.1305
Reading Teacher Education 1
Master's
13.1315
Biological Sciences (9 programs, 275 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 136
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0101
Neuroscience 92
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
26.1501
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 23
Master's
26.9999
General Physiology 7
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0901
Oncology and Cancer Biology 5
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0911
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 4
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0210
Genome Sciences and Genomics 4
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0807
Anatomy 2
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0403
Immunology 2
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0507
Computer & IT (4 programs, 250 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer and Information Sciences 215
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
11.0101
Information Science 31
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
11.0401
Data Modeling and Database Administration 3
Master's
11.0802
Data Processing Technology 1
Master's
11.0301
Social Sciences (7 programs, 217 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Political Science and Government 89
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
45.1001
Anthropology 41
Bachelor's
Master's
45.0201
Sociology 41
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
45.1101
Economics 31
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
45.0601
Urban Studies and Affairs 13
Bachelor's
45.1201
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 1
Bachelor's
45.0603
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 1
Post-Master's
45.0702
Kinesiology (2 programs, 159 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 96
Bachelor's
Master's
31.0505
Sport and Fitness Management 63
Bachelor's
Master's
31.0504

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Wayne State University (WSU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1040 - 1260
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 530 - 640
Median: 580
Math 510 - 620
Median: 560
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
21 - 28
25th-75th percentile
English 21 - 30
Median: 25
Math 18 - 27
Median: 23

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$32,952
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$50,646
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,464
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$33,158
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$11,762 (on) / $12,104 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,316
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$4,410 (on) / $5,854 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$5,350
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$20,482
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$41,820
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

15%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$10,862
Avg. Loan
$6,336
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,088
Additional
Students with Any Grant
2,335
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
833
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
1,246
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$7,481
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

57%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
82%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$29,797 – $79,117
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$29,797 (25th %) $79,117 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $53,493
Median Salary After 6 Years
$45,207
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$53,493
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
38.3%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
57.2%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$21,250
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 31.7%
Middle 42.4%
High 54.1%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 41.3%
Independent 33.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Wayne State University (WSU)

How much does it cost to attend Wayne State University (WSU)?

The annual tuition at Wayne State University (WSU) is $15,464 for in-state students and $33,158 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $32,952 for in-state students and $50,646 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,762 (on) / $12,104 (off) and books and supplies $1,316.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Wayne State University offer?

Wayne State University (WSU) offers 158 academic programs across 29 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (31 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (6 programs)
  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (10 programs)
  • Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (2 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Wayne State University?

Wayne State University (WSU) has an 82% acceptance rate and a 24% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 15,190
  • Students admitted: 12,461
  • Students enrolled: 2,988

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Wayne State University?

Wayne State University (WSU) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $10,862 and average loans of $6,336.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,901
  • State/Local grants: $1,513
  • Institutional grants: $7,481
  • Federal loans: $5,088

The university supports 2,335 students with grants and 833 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Wayne State University graduates?

Wayne State University (WSU) graduates earn a median salary of $45,207 after 6 years and $53,493 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $29,797 (25th percentile) to $79,117 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $93,500 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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