WSU Admission Requirements
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- Detroit, MI
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WSU Admission Overview
WSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year WSU admitted 81.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (B+) and SAT 1060-1270 / ACT 23-29. WSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
WSU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
WSU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Wayne State University
Acceptance Rate
The WSU acceptance rate is 81.2%. Last year, 13,781 of 16,981 applicants were admitted. That is the 24th lowest acceptance rate in Michigan.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into WSU and can you get accepted?
WSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Wayne State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
WSU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.42Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.42
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at WSU typically have around a 3.42 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. WSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #24 in Michigan for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
WSU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Wayne State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You may submit SAT or ACT scores or apply without them. Students who omit scores complete short essay questions and an activities list for holistic review; Common App materials can meet those extra items. Choosing the test-optional path does not affect merit scholarship eligibility.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://wayne.edu/admissions/first-year/application-process
WSU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1060-1270Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
40%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 540
- Math 520
- Composite 1060
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 640
- Math 630
- Composite 1270
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at WSU typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1060–1270) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. WSU ranks #9 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1060 to 1270
SAT policy
WSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
WSU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
23-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 22
- Composite 23
75th Percentile Scores
- English 29
- Math 27
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at WSU typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 23–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. WSU places #10 among colleges in Michigan for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 29
ACT policy
You may apply to WSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the WSU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Wayne State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Aug 1, 2027Days left to Apply
335Applicants have 335 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Wayne State University is $25.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
WSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 81.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1060-1270); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Wayne State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172644.
GPA calculator: Wayne State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026