WSU vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Carthage College 14:1.

WSU vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($14,416 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 5.6% lower than at Wayne State University ($13,450 vs. $14,252).
• Carthage College is 155.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $23,560 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Carthage than at Wayne State University (about $6,713 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 83.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($23,784 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming WSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

WSU vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.