Wabash College vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wabash College in Crawfordsville, 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 Wabash College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wabash College is located in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wabash College 9:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

Wabash College vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wabash College 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 Wabash College ($14,416 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 1% lower than at Wabash College ($14,252 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 234.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $35,610 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Wabash College than at Wayne State University (about $18,763 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 205.8% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($39,605 vs. $12,953).

Wabash College vs. WSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wabash College 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 Wabash College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wabash College (1170) is the same as at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Wabash College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 1060/1270; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 23/28; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wabash College - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wabash College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Wabash College vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Wabash College vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wabash College 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than Wabash College graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wabash College graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More Wabash College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.