Earlham vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN 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 Earlham based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Earlham vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham ($14,416 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Earlham College are 1.9% lower than at Wayne State University ($13,985 vs. $14,252).
• Earlham College is 255% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $38,740 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Earlham than at Wayne State University (about $21,893 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 213.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($40,618 vs. $12,953).

Earlham vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 30 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming Earlham 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: Earlham College 1110/1290; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Earlham vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,742 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.