Wayne State University
Wayne State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wayne State University at a Glance
Wayne State University (WSU) is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 375 programs. It is Michigan's third-largest university with nearly 24,000 graduate and undergraduate students.
1868
158 years old
$636M
$636 million (2025)
24,168
16,173 undergrad · 7,791 grad
2,320
203 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Wayne State University
Official admissions page$25
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Wayne State University Worth It?
Wayne State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $12,766/year, it's priced 37% below average, while graduates go on to earn $53,493 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Wayne State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #29 of 112 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #29 | Wayne State University | 60 | $12,766 | $53,493 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Wayne State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MI.
Best Programs at Wayne State University
The highest-earning program at Wayne State University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $75,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Dance at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Wayne State University earns $75,400, while a Dance graduate earns $20,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,766/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $75,400 | $75,400 | $25,268 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $74,900 | $74,900 | $12,125 |
| Chemical Engineering | $73,400 | $73,400 | $23,714 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $73,000 | $73,000 | $23,625 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $71,500 | $71,500 | $20,980 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,300 | $62,300 | $22,041 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,800 | $60,800 | $26,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $57,000 | $57,000 | $23,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,500 | $54,500 | $19,899 |
| International Business | $50,500 | $50,500 | $24,425 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $49,700 | $49,700 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,100 | $49,100 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,900 | $48,900 | $22,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,000 | $42,000 | $26,750 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,400 | $41,400 | $26,215 |
| Marketing | $37,800 | $37,800 | $26,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,600 | $36,600 | $28,040 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,400 | $36,400 | $31,303 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,800 | $34,800 | $29,194 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,900 | $33,900 | $14,758 |
| Journalism | $33,600 | $33,600 | $31,474 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $32,800 | $32,800 | $25,875 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,900 | $31,900 | $27,051 |
| Social Work | $31,400 | $31,400 | $28,326 |
| Sociology | $31,400 | $31,400 | $29,260 |
| Psychology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,250 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $30,000 | $30,000 | $28,209 |
| Music | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,375 |
| Biology, General | $26,700 | $26,700 | $21,997 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,200 | $26,200 | $28,375 |
| Political Science and Government | $24,500 | $24,500 | $25,286 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $23,000 | $23,000 | $19,850 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $22,900 | $22,900 | $30,717 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,800 | $21,800 | $29,062 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,100 | $21,100 | $26,500 |
| Dance | $20,800 | $20,800 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Detroit, MI
- Student Body
- 15,587 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,766
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,493
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250