WSU vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

WSU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or W&J? 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 W&J ($14,416 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 3.1% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($14,252 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 93.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $14,202 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at WSU than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $2,645 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($20,152 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or W&J? 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 W&J and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at W&J).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than W&J (80.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 12.6% at W&J.

WSU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.