WSU vs. University of Akron

Should I go to Wayne State University or University of Akron Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSU or University of Akron 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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Wayne State University vs. University of Akron Main Campus comparison
Wayne State University University of Akron Main Campus College 3 College 4
Wayne State University University of Akron Main Campus
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Overview

WSU University of Akron
Location Detroit, MI Akron, OH
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 23,630 13,465
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #582 #838
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wayne.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WSU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $12,933 $10,097
Tuition (Out of State) $29,622 $13,170
Room & Board $11,321 $12,410
Avg Net Price $15,347 $14,667
Avg Grant Aid $10,605 $8,525
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 96%

Admission

WSU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,002 12,282
Admitted 10,547 10,178
Acceptance Rate 75.3% 82.9%Open
Enrolled % 24.4% 20.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 18/25
SAT Range 1040/1260 980/1230
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 Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

WSU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

WSU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 26% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,258 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $230 $263

Diversity

WSU University of Akron
% Men 40% 50%
% Women 60% 50%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 57% 74%
% Black 19% 12%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 3%

Students

WSU University of Akron
% In-State 93% 92%
% Out-of-State 3% 7%

Campus

WSU University of Akron
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

  • Wayne State University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (23,630 students vs. 13,465 students)

WSU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or University of Akron?

  • Wayne State University is 28.1% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($12,933.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 124.9% higher at WSU than University of Akron Main Campus ($29,622.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than WSU ($14,667 vs. $15,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 9.6% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($11,321 vs. $12,410)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Wayne State University as University of Akron Main Campus (96% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 24.4% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($10,605 vs. $8,525)

WSU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wayne State University (1070) is 21 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming WSU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Akron students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WSU (3.42)
  • University of Akron has a higher acceptance rate (82.9%) than WSU (75.3%)

WSU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and WSU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Akron is higher than Wayne State University (38% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Wayne State University earn on average $10,900 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $40,100)
  • Wayne State University students graduate with a $3,242 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($22,258 vs. $25,500)
  • WSU graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($230 vs. $263)
  • More University of Akron graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 38%)

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