Michigan State vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Michigan State vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State 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 Michigan State ($14,416 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 11.8% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,564 vs. $14,252).
• Michigan State University is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $1,268 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at Michigan State than at Wayne State University (about $11,805 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Michigan State University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 32.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,953 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State 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 Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 100 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming Michigan State 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: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Michigan State vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,226 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($230 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.