Hope College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, MI with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Hope College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope College or WSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than Hope College ($14,416 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 9.1% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,950 vs. $14,252).
• Hope College is 176.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $26,780 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31% higher at Hope College than at Wayne State University (about $9,933 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Hope College (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 92.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,945 vs. $12,953).

Hope College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope College or WSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSU and Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 50 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Hope College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope College and WSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.