History
Founded in 1868, Wayne State University is a nationally recognized metropolitan research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students. Wayne State’s main campus in Midtown Detroit comprises 100 buildings over 200 acres; its six extension centers offer higher education to students throughout Southeast Michigan.
Education
Diversity isn’t a slogan at Wayne State; it’s a reality that’s woven into our mission and guides everything we do. We offer an immersive educational experience where students work alongside people from different countries, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds in a microcosm of our interconnected world. With the most diverse student body in Michigan, our students gain a distinct advantage as they prepare to build successful careers in the complex global marketplace.
Research
Through our multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, we seek to expand knowledge, enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.
Student services
The Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE) seeks to cultivate a safe campus environment where we value, promote, and celebrate identities among all student who engage with our office, while intentionally offering initiatives that positively address and impact retention and graduation rates of students that arrive at WSU underrepresented and at risk.
Housing services
More and more Wayne State students are discovering how living on campus is helping them achieve personal and academic success. With less than a five-minute walk to classes, libraries, a 24-hour computer lab, the Student Center and the Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center, living on campus offers a convenience that you can't find anywhere else. Live in the growing campus community where residents are establishing new friendships, exploring the community and building new traditions.
Library services
The University Libraries support the education, research and service missions of the University and its communities through comprehensive, high-quality resources, services and programs. The Libraries are leaders in providing accurate and timely information to Wayne State University as well as the metropolitan Detroit area and Michigan.
ICT services
New and Upgraded Wireless internet is available throughout university housing, including study rooms and lounges. To access Wi-Fi on campus, connect to WSU-SECURE and log in with your AccessID and password.
Medical services
The Campus Health Center (CHC) is an academic, nurse-managed full-service primary care clinic that serves all currently enrolled Wayne State University (WSU) students. We provide a wide range of primary healthcare services with the objective of keeping WSU students healthy and ready to learn. Each currently enrolled WSU student is eligible for one free illness visit per semester enrolled.
Campus life
Join an incomparable community of leaders and learners who come from all walks of life to break down barriers and make new discoveries. Embody the spirit of a great American city making a storied comeback. Experience different ideas and perspectives, take on new and unexpected challenges, have a great time, and gain a distinct advantage as you build a career in our interconnected world.
Sports facilities
- The Wayne State University football field was renamed the Tom Adams Field on October 11, 2003. An artificial playing surface was installed in the summer of 2006 following the renovating of the locker room and coaches offices in the summer of 2004. Lights were installed in August of 2012.
- The WSU pool area, located within the Matthaei, has hosted NCAA national championships, as well as Warrior home meets along with high school meets including the Detroit Public School League championship.
Student clubs
- Advanced Pre-Medical Association
- Aesculapians Honor Society
- African American Psychology Student Organization
- African American Studies Student Organization
Accreditation
Since 1915, Wayne State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States that provides accreditation to colleges and universities at the institutional level.
Wayne State University Overview
Wayne State University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 6.6% United States
Top 6.6% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
464
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 2 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 385 | 466 | 464 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
501
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 501 | 501 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
601
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
781
By TopUniversities
Climbed 10 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 751 | 791 | 781 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Wayne State University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Detroit City
Wayne State University Student Reviews & Awards
3.7
Based on 3 reviews
- 5 Star 0 Reviews
- 4 Star 2 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
Affordable master’s
Nice school. It was a great place to study communication and I really enjoyed my time there. I was able to network, earn scholarships, and find a job shortly after graduating. As a master's student, I also found it to be affordable. I would definitely recommend it to others.
Strong remote grad program
I study remotely but the online school is wonderful and I am excited to finish my studies there. I'm a first semester freshman in my graduate program as much are student. There will be a time where I can do my internship and I'll be able to answer the survey more accordingly.
Good
I havent finished my studies yet, but it hasnt been too bad.
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