Michigan vs. WSU

Should I go to University of Michigan or Wayne State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan or WSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Michigan vs. Wayne State University comparison
University of Michigan Wayne State University College 3 College 4
University of Michigan Wayne State University
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Overview

Michigan WSU
Location Ann Arbor, MI Detroit, MI
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 52,065 23,553
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #47 #580
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umich.edu wayne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan WSU
Tuition (In State) $16,896 $12,493
Tuition (Out of State) $57,740 $28,615
Room & Board $13,856 $11,762
Avg Net Price $19,005 $16,021
Avg Grant Aid $22,005 $10,862
% Receiving Grant Aid 55% 95%

Admission

Michigan WSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 87,632 15,190
Admitted 15,722 12,461
Acceptance Rate 17.9% 82%
Enrolled % 47.5% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Challenging
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 31/34 21/28
SAT Range 1350/1530 1040/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Michigan WSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Michigan WSU
Graduation Rate 90% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $74,400 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,103 $22,258
Median Loan Payment $207 $230

Diversity

Michigan WSU
% Men 18% 12%
% Women 18% 19%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 57%
% Black 4% 19%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 5%

Students

Michigan WSU
% In-State 51% 95%
% Out-of-State 44% 2%

Campus

Michigan WSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Michigan is larger than than WSU based on total student enrollment (52,065 students vs. 23,553 students)

Michigan vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan or WSU?

  • University of Michigan is 35.2% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($16,896.00 vs. $12,493.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 101.8% higher at Michigan than Wayne State University ($57,740.00 vs. $28,615.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than Michigan ($16,021 vs. $19,005)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 17.8% lower than costs at University of Michigan ($11,762 vs. $13,856)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wayne State University than University of Michigan (95% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan students is 102.6% larger than aid received Wayne State University ($22,005 vs. $10,862)

Michigan vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan or WSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WSU or Michigan .

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan (1384) is 314 points higher than at WSU (1070)
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at WSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at WSU (3.42)
  • WSU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Michigan (17.9%)

Michigan vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan or WSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WSU and Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan is higher than Wayne State University (90% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan earn on average $23,400 more per year than WSU graduates after ten years. ($74,400 vs. $51,000)
  • University of Michigan students graduate with a $2,155 lower median federal student loan debt than WSU graduates. ($20,103 vs. $22,258)
  • Michigan graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than WSU graduates. ($207 vs. $230)
  • More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/