Wayne State vs Illinois State
Wayne State University and Illinois State University, both esteemed public institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Wayne State, located in the vibrant city of Detroit, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including notable strengths in medicine, engineering, and business. Illinois State, situated in the charming town of Normal, excels in teacher education, nursing, and the arts, fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, these universities cater to different aspirations and preferences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal aspirations.
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![]() Illinois State University |
![]() Wayne State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Normal, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 83.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.5% | 63.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1000 - 1200 | 1030 - 1260 |
ACT range | 21 - 27 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 48.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | 7.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,913 | 15,181 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,905 | 9,603 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,374 | 2,732 |
Yield rate | 30.9% | 28.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$31,811
Out of state:
$43,335
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In state:
$32,193
Out of state:
$48,163
|
Average net price | $21,033 | $15,710 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,524
Out of state:
$23,048
|
In state:
$12,376
Out of state:
$28,346
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,494
Meal plan:
$4,652
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,463
Meal plan:
$4,280
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $10,848 |
98.0%
Average amount $10,091 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
46.0%
Average amount $5,065 |
38.0%
Average amount $4,807 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $14,532 |
3.0%
Average amount $11,147 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,674
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
16,839
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,559
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
8,080
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 4.2% | 1.8% |
International students | 2.8% | 4.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,560 | 3,192 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Missouri Wisconsin Michigan Iowa | Michigan Ohio Illinois New York Washington |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.3% | 55.8% |
Dropout rate | 32.0% | 38.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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