WSU vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 23,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

WSU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or UC? 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 UC ($14,416 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 4.8% lower than at Wayne State University ($13,564 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $1,214 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at WSU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $2,727 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (98% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 58% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($12,953 vs. $8,196).

WSU vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 100 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UC (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at WSU (3.42).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 22.5% at UC.

WSU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and UC? 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).

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $742 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($22,258 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($230 vs. $237).
• More UC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.