WSU vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Fisher based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); St. John Fisher University is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; St. John Fisher University 11:1.

WSU vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Fisher? 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 Fisher ($14,416 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 4.4% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,252 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 171.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $26,000 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at Fisher than at Wayne State University (about $9,153 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 89.4% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,530 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 40 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Fisher).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

WSU vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Fisher? 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $1,642 lower median loan debt than Fisher graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,900).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fisher graduates ($230 vs. $247).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.