WSU vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

WSU vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or ASU? 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 ASU ($14,416 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 9.7% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,868 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 100.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $7,611 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at WSU than at Appalachian State University (about $6,825 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Appalachian State University (98% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($12,953 vs. $8,014).

WSU vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or ASU? 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 ASU and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 30 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at WSU (3.42).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 18.2% at ASU.

WSU vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and ASU? 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $1,758 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($211 vs. $230).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.