Colleges › Michigan › Wayne State University
Wayne State University acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Wayne State University accepts 81% of applicants. It is a public university in Detroit, Michigan, with about 15,587 undergraduates. The sticker price is $30,256 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $11,212.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for Wayne State University?
Admitly estimates a typical Michigan resident needs about a 3.0 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.4 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Wayne State University by GPA
Assumes an SAT of 1145, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | Michigan resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 41% Target | 17% Reach |
| 2.7 | 41% Target | 17% Reach |
| 3.0 | 57% Target | 28% Reach |
| 3.3 | 77% Target | 50% Target |
| 3.5 | 86% Likely | 65% Target |
| 3.7 | 92% Likely | 77% Target |
| 3.9 | 96% Likely | 86% Likely |
| 4.0 | 97% Likely | 89% Likely |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Wayne State University
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $30,256 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $9,700 | $24,600 |
| $50k – $100k | $9,700 | $24,600 |
| $100k – $150k | $12,500 | $27,500 |
| $150k – $250k | $20,100 | $35,000 |
| Over $250k | $21,900 | $36,900 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Wayne State University
What is the acceptance rate at Wayne State University?
Wayne State University admits 81% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Wayne State University?
Admitly estimates a typical Michigan resident needs about a 3.0 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.4 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Wayne State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1060–1270 on the SAT and 23–29 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.
How much does Wayne State University cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $30,256 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $11,212 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $9,700 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Wayne State University?
60% of students finish their degree, and 83% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Wayne State University
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · admits 85%
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · admits 85%
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI · admits 16%
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OH · admits 81%
- Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · admits 82%
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · admits 80%