Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
81.2%
Acceptance Rate
$15,190
Avg Cost (In-State)
$32,037
Avg Cost (Out-of-State)
57.5%
Graduation Rate
15,587
Total Enrollment
Popular programs
Application requirements
Generating requirements — this can take a few seconds for less- commonly-searched schools.
Getting there
Graduate outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
$45,207
Median Earnings at 6 Years
median graduate salary 6 years after starting
$53,493
Median Earnings at 10 Years
median graduate salary 10 years after starting
58%
4-Year Graduation Rate
students completing degree within 4 years
Earnings data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Figures reflect federal aid recipients only — actual median earnings may be higher at schools where many students receive grants rather than loans.
Earnings by major
Median earnings 1 year after graduation, by bachelor's program. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard FieldOfStudy data.
| Program | Median earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $29,255 | $52,435 | 263 |
| International Business. | $59,350 | $79,882 | 240 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $74,793 | $84,405 | 222 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | $48,324 | $61,121 | 207 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $77,371 | $104,630 | 190 |
| Marketing. | $47,929 | $67,504 | 174 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $56,804 | $74,703 | 152 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $52,668 | $73,940 | 127 |
Tracked through federal tax records. Programs with fewer than 30 graduates with reported earnings are privacy-suppressed. 4-year figure tracks the same cohort 3 years later.
What current students say
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Calculate Your Cost at Wayne State University
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Tactics that apply here
Things you can do that most families don't know about.
Early Action priority deadlines unlock the biggest merit pools
~$15k valueAt many public universities, applying by the EA deadline (Nov 1) instead of regular (Feb 1) decides whether you're considered for the top merit awards.
Who it helps: Students with their applications ready by November of senior year, especially those targeting merit-rich publics.
How to use: List each target school's EA deadline (commonly Nov 1, sometimes Oct 15 or Dec 1). Submit complete applications + test scores by then. Confirm merit-scholarship deadlines separately — some require a different priority date or supplemental essay.
Source ↗File FAFSA the day it opens
~$5k valueMost schools award state and institutional aid first-come-first-served from a fixed pool. Filing FAFSA in October beats filing in February by thousands.
Who it helps: Every student applying for need-based aid, but especially families relying on state grants or institutional aid.
How to use: Set a calendar reminder for the FAFSA opening date (currently Oct 1 most years; Dec 1 in the 2024-25 transition year). Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to auto-fill tax info. Submit even if you have to estimate; corrections are easy.
Source ↗CSS Profile is required by 200+ private schools — separate from FAFSA
Most selective private colleges use the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA. It costs $25 + $16/school and reaches deeper into family finances than FAFSA does.
Who it helps: Any student applying to a private 4-year with significant institutional aid needs.
How to use: Check the CSS Profile school list for each of your target colleges. Open the app at cssprofile.collegeboard.org as soon as it opens (early Oct). Submit ahead of each school's earliest priority date — often before the FAFSA deadline.
Source ↗Scholarships
Scholarships you may qualify for.
Michigan Stamps Scholarship
Full cost of attendance + research stipend
universityDesignated Stamps Scholars (~20/year) at Michigan; nominated through admissions.
Deadline: December 1 (Honors deadline)
Learn more ↗MI Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
Up to $2,800/year
stateChildren of MI veterans killed/disabled in service or POW/MIA.
Deadline: Through MISFA
Learn more ↗Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Up to $5,500/year (publics); $4,000 (independent); $2,750 (CC)
stateMI HS grads with EFC up to $25,000 attending MI colleges. Renewable up to 5 years.
Deadline: FAFSA + apply via MISFA
Learn more ↗Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Covers tuition at MI public CCs + bachelor's transfer support
stateMI Medicaid-eligible students for at least 24 months between ages 9-15.
Deadline: Apply by HS graduation
Learn more ↗Michigan Reconnect
Free CC tuition for adults 21+
stateMI residents 21+ without a college degree; covers in-district tuition at MI community colleges.
Deadline: Year-round
Learn more ↗Michigan State University Distinguished Freshman Scholarship
Full tuition + fees
universityTop MSU incoming freshmen via competitive process; in-state focus.
Deadline: November 1
Learn more ↗MSU Alumni Distinguished Scholarship
Up to full tuition + fees + book stipend
universityTop MSU incoming freshmen via competitive process; combines academics + leadership.
Deadline: November 1
Learn more ↗Chaldean Foundation Education Grant
Varies
localChaldean American students with financial need pursuing higher education; Chaldean Community Foundation-administered.
Deadline: Spring
Learn more ↗MI Indian Tuition Waiver
Full tuition at MI public colleges
state1/4+ blood Native American MI residents (10+ years) at MI public 4-year or community colleges.
Deadline: Apply through college
Learn more ↗Peer colleges
Similar colleges to consider.
Similar selectivity
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
81.1% acceptance
Both admit around 81% of applicants, with 10k undergrads and a u campus — a close selectivity match.
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH
81% acceptance
Both admit around 81% of applicants, with 13k undergrads and a c campus — a close selectivity match.
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
81.6% acceptance
Both admit around 82% of applicants, with 12k undergrads and a u campus — a close selectivity match.
Cheaper alternatives
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH
84.5% acceptance
Similar selectivity (85% vs 81%) but out-of-state cost runs $11k — meaningfully less than $32k.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
86.9% acceptance
Similar selectivity (87% vs 81%) but out-of-state cost runs $13k — meaningfully less than $32k.
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
89.8% acceptance
Similar selectivity (90% vs 81%) but out-of-state cost runs $15k — meaningfully less than $32k.
Reaches above this college
University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH
59.7% acceptance
Same u setting in the Midwest, but more selective (60% vs 81%) — a stretch target if Wayne State University is already on your list.
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR
54.6% acceptance
Same u setting in the region, but more selective (55% vs 81%) — a stretch target if Wayne State University is already on your list.
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
53% acceptance
Same u setting in the Midwest, but more selective (53% vs 81%) — a stretch target if Wayne State University is already on your list.
Safer alternatives
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH
91.3% acceptance
Same u setting in the Midwest, but higher admit rate (91% vs 81%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
University of Toledo
Toledo, OH
92% acceptance
Same u setting in the Midwest, but higher admit rate (92% vs 81%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS
94% acceptance
Same u setting in the Midwest, but higher admit rate (94% vs 81%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
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