Wayne State University Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know
Overview of Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public institution situated in the Midtown Cultural Center of Detroit, Michigan. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. Wayne State’s liberal arts and STEM strengths have earned the school a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. The university plays in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for all sports except fencing, in which it plays in the Midwest Fencing Conference (MFC).
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 3,633 (2,975 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male/57 percent female
- 74 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $7,206 (in-state); $12,651 (out-of-state)
- Books: $1,246
- Room and Board: $7,930
- Other Expenses: $2,341
- Total Cost: $18,723 (in-state); $24,168 (out-of-state)
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 94 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 89 percent
- Loans: 49 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $7,652
- Loans: $6,897
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Education; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services; Psychology; and Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 77 percent
- Transfer-Out Rate: 22 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 38 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 60 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis, Track and Field, Golf
- Women’s Sports: Track and Field, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Softball, Soccer
Overview of Wayne State University Admissions
Wayne State University, which accepts nearly three-quarters of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Wayne State University had an acceptance rate of 71%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 71 students gained admission, making Wayne State’s admissions procedure moderately competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 89% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Wayne State’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 510 and 610 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 510 and 25% scored over 610. 50% of students scored between 500 and 600 on the math part, while 25% scored under 500, and 25% scored over 600. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1210 or higher will have a competitive advantage at Wayne State University.
ACT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 24% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most Wayne State’s students fall within the top 42% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to Wayne State received a cumulative ACT score between 21 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored under 21.
GPA
In 2019, the mean high school GPA of Wayne State University’s incoming freshmen class was 3.22, and 47% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.5 and over. Successful applicants have B grades primarily.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Wayne State University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Wayne State University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
Liberty University, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University East Bay
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for Wayne State University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Hampton University, Washington State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, East Carolina University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Texas State University
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Wayne State University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of Arizona, University of Alabama, Colorado State University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington
Applying to Wayne State University
Application Deadline: August 20
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
Undergraduate Application Link(s):
Graduate Admissions Website:
https://gradschool.wayne.edu/admissions
Graduate Application Link(s):
https://gradslate.wayne.edu/apply/