UM-Dearborn vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Dearborn in Dearborn, MI 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 UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Dearborn is located in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• University of Michigan Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn 16:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

UM-Dearborn vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM-Dearborn 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 University of Michigan Dearborn than WSU ($11,521 vs. $14,416).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 21.1% lower than at Wayne State University ($11,241 vs. $14,252).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $450 more per year; $15,640.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Wayne State University (about $859 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Wayne State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($12,953 vs. $12,124).

UM-Dearborn vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM-Dearborn 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 UM-Dearborn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WSU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM-Dearborn - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at UM-Dearborn vs. 22.4% at WSU.

UM-Dearborn vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM-Dearborn 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 Michigan Dearborn's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,492 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($230 vs. $266).
• More UM-Dearborn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.