WSU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

WSU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($14,416 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 3.2% lower than at Wayne State University ($13,794 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $1,958 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at WSU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $8,955 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Kent State University at Kent (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($12,953 vs. $10,076).

WSU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or Kent State? 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 Kent State and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming WSU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

WSU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Kent State? 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).

• Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,567 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($230 vs. $267).
• More Kent State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.