WSU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

WSU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or SU? 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 SU ($14,416 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 12.4% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,490 vs. $14,252).
• Shenandoah University is 143.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $21,760 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at SU than at Wayne State University (about $4,913 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 91.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($24,747 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming WSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 16.7% at SU.

WSU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and SU? 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.