WSU vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Westminster College 12:1.

WSU vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College ($14,416 vs. $20,394).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 9.6% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,880 vs. $14,252).
• Westminster College is 165.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $25,100 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.8% higher at Westminster College than at Wayne State University (about $8,253 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 151.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($32,553 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Westminster College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Westminster College 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. 12.1% at Westminster College.

WSU vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Westminster College? 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.