IPFW vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

IPFW vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 IPFW ($14,416 vs. $14,735).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 18.1% lower than at Wayne State University ($11,669 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 59.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $5,658 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at WSU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $9,150 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 81.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($12,953 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 22.4% at WSU.

IPFW vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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).

• The graduation rate at IPFW is the same as at Wayne State University (26% vs. 26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,242 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($22,258 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($230 vs. $253).
• More IPFW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.