WSU vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Ripon College 12:1.

WSU vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College ($14,416 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 24.2% lower than at Wayne State University ($10,800 vs. $14,252).
• Ripon College is 241.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $36,710 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at Ripon College than at Wayne State University (about $19,863 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 206.6% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($39,716 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming WSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

WSU vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and Ripon College? 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).

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $5,742 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($22,258 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($230 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.