DePaul vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than DePaul based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 21,210 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

DePaul vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or WSU? 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 DePaul ($14,416 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 25.4% lower than at DePaul University ($14,252 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 202.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $30,809 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at DePaul than at Wayne State University (about $13,962 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 126.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($29,285 vs. $12,953).

DePaul vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 70 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 22.4% at WSU.

DePaul vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and WSU? 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).

• DePaul University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from DePaul University 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 $1,074 lower median loan debt than DePaul graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,332).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePaul graduates ($230 vs. $241).
• More DePaul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.