WSU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

WSU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or VCU? 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 VCU ($14,416 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 21.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,252 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $1,755 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at VCU than at Wayne State University (about $8,072 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 9.5% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($14,186 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming WSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at VCU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at WSU (3.42).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

WSU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and VCU? 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $992 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($230 vs. $240).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.