Kentucky vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Kentucky vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($14,416 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 11% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,252 vs. $16,016).
• Wayne State University is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $1,688 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Kentucky than at Wayne State University (about $2,103 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at University of Kentucky (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 0.4% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($12,953 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 10 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at WSU (3.42).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Kentucky vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates of University of Kentucky and WSU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $51,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $492 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($22,258 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($230 vs. $235).
• More Kentucky 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.