WSU vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

WSU vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or OWU? 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 OWU ($14,416 vs. $23,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 2.9% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($14,252 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 254.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $38,698 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.2% higher at OWU than at Wayne State University (about $21,851 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 251.1% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($45,481 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. OWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Wesleyan University (1230) is 60 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming OWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman OWU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than OWU (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 12.6% at OWU.

WSU vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and OWU? 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).

• Ohio Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than OWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,742 lower median loan debt than OWU graduates ($22,258 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.