Head to head · Michigan
Which of these costs less depends on what you earn. At under $30k and below, Michigan State University is the cheaper of the two; from $30–48k up, Wayne State University is. Sticker price shows none of this.
| Household income | Michigan State University | Wayne State University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $7,068 | $11,090 | $4,022 |
| $30–48k | $10,830 | $10,721 | $109 |
| $48–75k | $16,521 | $12,068 | $4,453 |
| $75–110k | $22,703 | $14,828 | $7,875 |
| Over $110k | $28,546 | $19,862 | $8,684 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
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Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed Michigan State University first, then Wayne State University. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again Michigan State University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
Michigan State University — every income band · Wayne State University — every income band · All Michigan public colleges