Wayne State University College Portrait
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-3577
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is one of the nation’s top urban, public, research institutions, offering more than 350 academic programs to more than 31,000 students through 13 schools and colleges.
Wayne State is a nationally ranked urban, public research university, dedicated to preparing its students to excel as informed participants in an increasingly high-tech, interconnected global society. Wayne State’s more than 31,000 students make up the most diverse student body among Michigan’s public universities; men and women representing 48 states and 70 countries attend classes on the main campus. Wayne State’s 13 schools and colleges offer more than 350 academic degree programs including nearly 130 master’s, 60 doctoral and 60 certificate, specialist and professional programs to students seeking outstanding opportunities for advanced study.
Living in the Warriors Community
A Carnegie-rated research university positively engaged in its urban setting, Wayne State is a vibrant center of scholarship, research and social activities in the heart of Detroit.
Located in the University Cultural Center, Wayne State’s lively campus is an integral part of Midtown Detroit, making students truly members of the community in which they study. The university’s commitment to engaging with its home city is put into practice by students, faculty and staff who take part in activities ranging from Alternative Spring Break Detroit and Habitat for Humanity to the Detroit Fellows Tutoring Project. Warriors who participate in one or more of our 260 recognized student organizations – including an active Greek system -- learn leadership and organizational skills that will aid them during their years on campus and later in the workplace. Our three state of the art residence halls are only steps from the 24-hour Adamany Undergraduate Library, the Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center, the Student Center and most classrooms, as well as the world-renowned Detroit Institute of Arts.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
| Total Students | 31,505 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 20,837 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 12,083 | 58% |
| Men | 8,754 | 42% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 93 | <1% |
| Asian | 1,499 | 7% |
| African American / Black | 6,313 | 30% |
| Hispanic | 617 | 3% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 4 | <1% |
| White | 10,058 | 48% |
| Two or More Races | 99 | <1% |
| International | 560 | 3% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 1,594 | 8% |
| Where do WSU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 96% |
| Other US States & Territories | 1% |
| Other Countries | 2% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are WSU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 25 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 31% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 17 - 24 |
| Math | 16 - 24 |
| English | 16 - 24 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top of graduating class Data Not Available | ||
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.17 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 97% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $19,360
Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend Wayne State University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 54% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $7,192. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 65% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,904. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2008-2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
WSU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 16 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 73% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 90% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 1,033 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 42% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 26% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 78% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
32% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
10% of all undergraduates live on campus
More Information
Campus Safety
The Wayne State University Police Department was formed in 1966 and provides a full range of professional police services to both the main and medical center campuses as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. Each Officer has at least a bachelor's degree and many have advanced degrees. All Wayne State University Police Officers are fully licensed through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). All officers are sworn Peace Officers commissioned under State law and each officer has also been commissioned as a Detroit Police Officer. Officers are empowered to enforce all federal and state laws as well as the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code and city of Detroit Ordinances, both on and off the campus. As sworn police officers, they are authorized to investigate, arrest or take any other necessary action to address any criminal or other public infraction in the vicinity of the WSU campus. WSU Police Officers work very closely with the Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police. The Wayne State University Police Department is committed to providing our students, staff, faculty, visitors and guests with prompt, courteous and professional police services. While we provide a committed effort to ensure your safety, we can not promise you total isolation from crime. Personal safety and crime prevention efforts are the responsibility of the entire Wayne State University community and it is important that everyone takes responsibility for the safety of their person and property. The key to preventing crime is awareness, which can be best accomplished through education.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (very high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- Majority undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Higher part-time four-year
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at WSU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 84% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 55% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 13% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 75% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 15% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 35% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 53% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 9% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 90% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 93% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 63% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 56% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 89% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 52% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 74% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 64% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 61% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 88% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 58% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 79% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 76% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 73% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Wayne State University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,489 |
| Master's | 2,031 |
| Doctoral | 717 |
| Total | 5,237 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| PSYCHOLOGY | 9% |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 7% |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 6% |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 5% |
| Organizational Behavior Studies | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at Wayne State University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 74% four-year success and progress rate means that 74% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,571 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 1,137 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 77%
Student Learning at Wayne State University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Wayne State University is committed to developing and enhancing a culture of assessment based on continuous improvement of student learning. We strive to articulate clear learning outcome expectations based on shared educational values, to design and deliver excellent educational programs that achieve the desired learning outcomes, and to continually assess and evaluate the results of our educational programs to improve their success. This is a shared responsibility among student and teacher, teacher and administrator, and the university and the broader community.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.