- Prosperity agenda
- Leadership
- Academic excellence
- Detroit
- Expression on campus
- History and traditions
Discover Wayne State University
Wayne State University is Michigan's premier urban research institution. Our mission is to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities. Our Warriors engage in, with and for our community to create change and drive the future in Detroit and beyond. Learn more in our 2022-27 strategic plan.
Prosperity agenda
WSU's Prosperity Agenda guides us as we fulfill our shared promise to better the lives of our students, support our faculty in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation further, and strengthen the bonds that interconnect Wayne State and our community.
Education means opportunity. We provide students from all walks of life with access to top-tier faculty and “learning by doing” experiences that prepare them for career success and create generational change.
WSU plays a vital role in the health of Detroiters. Our students and faculty immerse themselves in our community to provide cutting-edge care, address disparities and build healthier urban neighborhoods.
By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, our “open for business” campus propels Michigan's competitiveness, creates solutions to challenges endemic to urban areas and ensures a robust economy.
President Espy
Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy was unanimously elected the 13th president of Wayne State University in 2023 by the Board of Governors. A leader with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she is the first woman president in Wayne State’s history.
Wayne State ranks nationally
As one of the nation’s premier research universities, Wayne State has consistently been recognized as a leader in academic excellence.
Majors and programs
With more than 375 academic programs in our 13 schools and colleges, a Wayne State degree prepares students for Michigan's top jobs.
Top 10 undergraduate majors by total enrollment:
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Biological Sciences
- Finance
- Public Health
- Management
- Marketing
- Neuroscience
- Accounting
- Criminal Justice
A Detroit institution
Since 1868, Wayne State has thrived in the heart of Detroit. Our Midtown campus places students near a vibrant cultural center, within walking distance of life-changing internships and career opportunities. Our Warriors engage deeply in the city, providing care, conducting transformative research, and fueling Detroit's workforce, contributing to the city's and region's prosperity.
TechTown
Celebrating two decades of innovation, TechTown Detroit is instrumental in revitalizing the region's economy. The nonprofit incubator provides essential resources, coworking spaces and programs that support entrepreneurs, drive innovation and boost prosperity across the region. Since 2004, TechTown has helped launch over 6,400 small businesses and raised more than $408 million in capital.
WSU OPEN is our gateway to connect businesses with the knowledge, talent and resources of a top-tier research institution. This one-stop shop provides partners with streamlined access to Wayne State schools, students and research centers to drive business success. Through WSU OPEN, companies can hire Wayne State students, co-develop research and establish a campus presence. This "open for business" approach puts businesses on the cutting edge, addresses urban challenges and fuels our local economy.
Powering Michigan's workforce
Then and now
Wayne State’s history reaches back to 1868, when five physicians who witnessed the crude medical treatment on Civil War battlefields committed themselves to advancing health education and care in Detroit. They founded the Detroit Medical College, which has since transformed into our School of Medicine.
Today, Wayne State University is one of the nation’s preeminent research universities, with 13 schools and colleges spanning a variety of disciplines. Nearly 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States and 70 countries come here to prepare for their future careers. We continue to play a role in invigorating Michigan’s economy, and our more than 300,000 alumni lead the way in countless fields in Detroit, across our state and around the world.