Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Wayne State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 40% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 54th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (MI wage index 0.90). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Wayne State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | — | $106,048 | +13% | #15 of 118 | #6 | $19,395 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $77,371 | $104,630 | +13% | #97 of 459 | #69 | $18,750 |
| Industrial Engineering | $77,815 | $101,990 | +4% | #27 of 94 | #19 | $21,126 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $78,738 | $100,944 | +0% | #91 of 258 | #65 | $23,182 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | — | $99,777 | +46% | #1 of 13 | #1 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | — | $97,257 | +19% | #4 of 61 | #4 | — |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $82,524 | $96,821 | +14% | #7 of 46 | #3 | $23,167 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,457 | $94,869 | +3% | #93 of 318 | #66 | $22,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $71,373 | $93,047 | -5% | #107 of 158 | #81 | $26,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | — | $92,707 | +36% | #5 of 61 | #4 | $13,750 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $53,310 | $84,695 | -10% | #36 of 43 | #35 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,793 | $84,405 | -5% | #554 of 966 | #451 | $24,468 |
| Civil Engineering | $73,488 | $84,157 | -3% | #131 of 233 | #86 | $27,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $59,352 | $80,630 | -3% | #88 of 166 | #80 | $21,542 |
| International Business | $59,350 | $79,882 | +9% | #35 of 115 | #29 | $18,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $63,970 | $78,391 | +11% | #79 of 253 | #64 | $23,695 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,804 | $74,703 | -10% | #267 of 452 | #234 | $18,507 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,668 | $73,940 | -3% | #378 of 796 | #328 | $19,735 |
| Marketing | $47,929 | $67,504 | -3% | #237 of 516 | #188 | $20,125 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $70,611 | $67,284 | -11% | #74 of 93 | #76 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,046 | $66,426 | +25% | #45 of 476 | #30 | $18,028 |
| Public Administration | $38,767 | $66,396 | +2% | #22 of 47 | #13 | $23,086 |
| Mathematics | — | $64,547 | -7% | #215 of 309 | #173 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $50,648 | $63,972 | -23% | #330 of 368 | #284 | $19,374 |
| Chemistry | $35,813 | $63,079 | -3% | #141 of 209 | #104 | $21,054 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | $52,829 | $62,954 | +5% | #3 of 6 | #3 | $15,011 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,345 | $61,466 | -3% | #295 of 565 | #193 | $22,250 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $48,324 | $61,121 | -10% | #157 of 187 | #142 | $20,375 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,306 | $59,025 | -7% | #115 of 178 | #103 | $24,055 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $43,811 | $58,915 | -6% | #18 of 30 | #11 | $25,205 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $34,303 | $58,871 | +7% | #18 of 50 | #13 | $20,568 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,590 | $58,743 | +14% | #52 of 345 | #24 | $21,250 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,474 | $58,291 | -1% | #114 of 215 | #91 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $44,157 | $58,182 | +15% | #33 of 177 | #20 | $35,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,595 | $57,335 | +2% | #235 of 660 | #148 | $25,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $30,723 | $57,203 | -5% | #97 of 138 | #72 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,132 | $56,423 | +2% | #281 of 660 | #174 | $25,500 |
| Social Work | $39,774 | $56,152 | +8% | #107 of 420 | #44 | $23,000 |
| Sociology | $31,381 | $55,499 | +5% | #152 of 462 | #87 | $26,811 |
| Public Health | $32,584 | $55,302 | -6% | #124 of 215 | #99 | $18,750 |
| Journalism | $26,591 | $54,188 | -4% | #98 of 187 | #72 | $27,725 |
| Psychology | $29,255 | $52,435 | +3% | #379 of 1027 | #217 | $23,250 |
| Biology | $21,716 | $50,811 | -11% | #656 of 841 | #595 | $19,384 |
| Music | $32,911 | $50,340 | +17% | #59 of 268 | #46 | $22,452 |
| History | $41,874 | $50,251 | -1% | #238 of 459 | #168 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,939 | $48,506 | +2% | #313 of 680 | #279 | $30,953 |
| Anthropology | $26,858 | $48,230 | +3% | #75 of 188 | #45 | $25,486 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $26,490 | $46,737 | -19% | #48 of 57 | #48 | $22,441 |
| English Language and Literature | $35,549 | $42,585 | -12% | #453 of 576 | #415 | $24,113 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $20,526 | $42,551 | -16% | #134 of 158 | #128 | $30,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Wayne State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $180,552
- Avg rent near campus: $1,323/mo — vs ~$779/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 48238 (17.7% cap, Detroit)
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🏆 Where Wayne State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,660 | $31,354 |
| Room | $7,008 | |
| Board | $4,600 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $31,785 | $47,907 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,337 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,560 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,864 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,189 |
| $110,001+ | $21,543 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Wayne State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Wayne State University?
How much does it cost to attend Wayne State University?
What is the graduation rate at Wayne State University?
Is Wayne State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Wayne State University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Wayne State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology