W
#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

WSU Admission Requirements

Detroit, Michigan

 4 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Wayne State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

75.3%
Admission Difficulty for Wayne State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at WSU is 75.3%.  Its admission rate is the 20th lowest in Michigan.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WSU and can you get accepted?

Wayne State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 10,547 out of the 14,002 who applied were admitted.

Wayne State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into WSU?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Wayne State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.42 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1150 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT

WSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.42

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Wayne State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into WSU are to have around a 3.42 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.42 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as WSU accepts 75% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at WSU is 3.42 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #24 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since WSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Wayne State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 12.24% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.09% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.97% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.65% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.95% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 16.31% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.75% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.04% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

WSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Wayne State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 53% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1040-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT 

53%
SAT Scores for Wayne State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1040
SAT Scores for Wayne State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1260
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Wayne State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at WSU is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1040-1260. Students who get into Wayne State University score in the top 53 percent of all SAT test takers..  WSU ranks #11 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. WSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1040 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1040, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Wayne State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1150, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

Wayne State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1260 and Above Good >85%
1150 to 1260 Avg + 75%-85%
1040 to 1150 Avg - 61%-75%
930 to 1040 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 930 Low <45%
Calculate My Chances 

WSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Wayne State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Wayne State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into WSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to WSU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28.  The school ranks #14 in Michigan for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Wayne State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Wayne State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into WSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 86% with a 28 ACT score.

Wayne State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >86%
24 to 28 Avg + 75%-86%
21 to 24 Avg - 63%-75%
18 to 21 Reach 50%-63%
Less than 18 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Wayne State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,274 5,496 14,002
Accepted 6,219 4,167 10,547
Acceptance Rate 75% 76% 75%
Enrolled 1,472 1,045 2,577
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 24% 25% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

232

Applicants have 232 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Wayne State University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Wayne State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Wayne State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Wayne State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Wayne State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.42 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1150 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Wayne State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172644 IPEDS survey data for Wayne State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024