Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Wayne State admits about 8 in 10 applicants (84%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 37% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$25 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 80%, women at 83%.
Where applicants live
Michigan applicants were admitted at 85%, applicants from other states at 77%, and international applicants at 61%.
All applicants in the same class: 84%
Of those admitted, 23% from Michigan enrolled, against 4.0% from other states and 22% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
21% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How Wayne State reads a record
GPA is very important; tests are important; is considered. 34% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are required for some applicants. 36% of first-years sent an SAT and 3% an ACT. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Recommends 4 years of math and English. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Considered | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Not considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
71% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 84% of first-year applicants
4,064 applied · 2,894 admitted · 1,381 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by August 15
- Winter entry: apply by December 15
- Spring entry: apply by April 1
- Summer entry: apply by April 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required of some
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required of some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by August 1 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $125 housing deposit, non-refundable.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Recommended |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science (lab: 0) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| History | 0 |
| Academic electives | 0 |
| Total | 18 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.42
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.015%
- 3.75–3.9920%
- 3.50–3.7416%
- 3.25–3.4914%
- 3.00–3.2414%
- below 3.022%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 14.7% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 19.5% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 16.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 14.1% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 20.3% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.4% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Wayne State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1175 on the SAT, right around the national median for colleges that report scores.
Required for some applicants
Some applicants must send scores. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
42% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1000–1199.
20% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
43% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 600–699.
39% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
23% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
19% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 36% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 3% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
1,102 studentssubmitted ACT
81 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Wayne State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Wayne State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Wayne State University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Wayne State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)