WSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Should I go to Wayne State University or University of Nevada Reno? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSU or University of Nevada-Reno 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan State UM-Dearborn Oakland UNLV Detroit Mercy- UDM- U of D- University of Detroit Eastern Michigan University CMU Michigan GVSU WMU UO U of A
Wayne State University vs. University of Nevada Reno comparison
Wayne State University University of Nevada Reno College 3 College 4
Wayne State University University of Nevada Reno
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Location Detroit, MI Reno, NV
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 23,630 20,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #582 #443
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wayne.edu unr.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Tuition (In State) $12,933 $8,133
Tuition (Out of State) $29,622 $24,687
Room & Board $11,321 $13,796
Avg Net Price $15,347 $16,670
Avg Grant Aid $10,605 $7,829
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 92%

Admission

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,002 9,398
Admitted 10,547 8,047
Acceptance Rate 75.3% 85.6%
Enrolled % 24.4% 41%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 20/26
SAT Range 1040/1260 1060/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Apr 7, 2025

Academics

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Graduation Rate 26% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,258 $18,801
Median Loan Payment $230 $194

Diversity

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 60%
% Black 19% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 19%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
% In-State 93% 76%
% Out-of-State 3% 23%

Campus

WSU University of Nevada-Reno
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Wayne State University is larger than than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (23,630 students vs. 20,945 students)

WSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or University of Nevada-Reno?

  • Wayne State University is 59% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($12,933.00 vs. $8,133.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20% higher at WSU than University of Nevada Reno ($29,622.00 vs. $24,687.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than University of Nevada-Reno ($15,347 vs. $16,670)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 21.9% lower than costs at University of Nevada Reno ($11,321 vs. $13,796)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wayne State University than University of Nevada Reno (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 35.5% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($10,605 vs. $7,829)

WSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nevada Reno (1084) is 14 points higher than at WSU (1070)
  • Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4)
  • University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (85.6%) than WSU (75.3%)

WSU vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSU or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada-Reno and WSU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno is higher than Wayne State University (51% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $2,400 more per year than WSU graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $51,000)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $3,457 lower median federal student loan debt than WSU graduates. ($18,801 vs. $22,258)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than WSU graduates. ($194 vs. $230)
  • More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 38%)

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