Tuition and fees

Learn more about Wayne State University's tuition and fees

We know that assessing education costs can feel daunting, so we're committed to making our affordable tuition as easy to navigate as we can. The Office of the Registrar provides the following information to help you better understand the connection between your class schedule and your tuition bill. We work together with Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Office of the Bursar to ensure your tuition is assessed correctly and to refer you to campus resources to resolve issues as quickly as possible.

Tuition and Fee Regulations

Each year the Board of Governors adopts the year's basic tuition and fee schedule, which is then authorized by the university president to supersede all previous tuition and fee regulations. The Office of the Registrar publishes the regulations annually: Statement of Tuition and Fee Regulations.

How is your tuition calculated?

Your Wayne State University tuition will be assessed each semester based on your residency (in-state or out-of-state), undergraduate class ranking or graduate level, academic program and school or college.

These tools can assist your decision-making process, but please note that all tuition rates are subject to change:

• Tuition calculator
• Tuition and fee chart
• Cost of attendance (Office of Student Financial Aid)

Undergraduate students

Effective fall 2023, Wayne State University will assess full-time undergraduate tuition using a flat-rate model meaning undergraduate students will pay the same price whether they register for 12 credits or 18 during any one semester. Learn more about flat-rate tuition in the Flat-Rate Tuition Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Lower and upper division class rankings are determined according to the number of credits an undergraduate student has completed.

Lower division

• Freshman: 0 - 28.99 credits, inclusive
• Sophomore: 29 - 55.99 credits, inclusive

Upper division

• Junior: 56 - 87.99 credits, inclusive
• Senior: 88 credits and above

Graduate Students

Graduate tuition rates are determined based on curriculm and whether your residency status is considered in-state or out-of-state. Please refer to the Graduate School Tuition fee chart for current rates: Tuition and fee chart > Graduate School Tuition

What other fees are involved?

A few additional fees go towards supporting student life and other services at Wayne State University:

• Registration fee
  • A set registration fee is charged each semester. After priority registration ends and before classes begin there is an additional $35 late registration fee (initial registration only). The late registration fee increases to $70 after the start of classes (applies to initial registration only). Please refer to the Academic and Registration Calendar for specific tuition cancellation dates.
• Course material fees
  • Some of your courses may have special fees which must be paid in addition to tuition. You can cancel the fee if you officially drop the course within the tuition cancellation period. For more information, contact the department offering the course.
• Student service fee
  • This fee helps to maintain, upgrade and replace student computing and technology resources on campus. A small portion is also used to fund and enhance on-campus activities, including athletics. Your Student Service Fee will be assessed according to your credit hours; refer to the tuition and fee chart for the current semester's rate.
• Matriculation fee (one-time, undergraduates only)
  • $250 for new undergraduate freshman and transfer students. This fee covers the cost of orientation, graduation, and commencement.

Payment Methods

Numerous alternatives for tuition and fee payments are provided for students' convenience. Please refer to the Student Accounts Receivable Office website for complete details.

Wayne State University's tuition assistance programs

WSU's value-based tuition structure is already competitive among top-ranked schools, and with our commitment to accessibility, we offer many paths to further lower your college expenses. Our equity programs, tuition discounts, and other benefits are available for a majority of incoming students.

Tuition Equity Program: in-state tuition

• In-state tuition qualification

  Wondering if you qualify for in-state tuition at WSU? There are three ways to establish eligibility:

  1. Residence in the state of Michigan

  If you have established residency in the state of Michigan for purposes that are unrelated to education and have been in the state for more than six months prior to the start of a term, you may qualify for in-state tuition on the basis of Michigan residence.

  2. Attendance at a Michigan high school

  If you graduated from a Michigan high school (or earned a GED) after having attended for at least three years and enrolling at WSU within 28 months after graduation or GED completion, you are eligible for in-state tuition. You don't need to be a legal resident of Michigan or a citizen of the United States to qualify for in-state tuition on this basis.

  3. Military service status

  If you are serving in the U.S. military and stationed in Michigan, you and your dependents are eligible for in-state tuition. Veterans and their dependents also are eligible for in-state tuition. Beginning fall 2018, students in active military service receive a 50% tuition discount. Please contact the Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence

  Policy details

  Current rules and regulations regarding the in-state tuition policy can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Governors. The university reserves the right to correct errors in a student's classification at any time.

  Challenging in-state classification

  Your admission letter indicates your residency classification. If it is incorrect, contact the Office of Admissions for reconsideration before registering for classes:
  Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  Office of Graduate Admissions

  After enrolling, you may challenge the initial classification made by the Office of Admissions by filing an Application for Residence Classification (PDF). See the form for deadlines and directions. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the following term. Contact Exceptions and Special Programs (ESP) at ESP@wayne.edu with questions.

  Great Lakes Tuition Policy - undergraduate students only

  Undergraduate students who are residents of a state or province bordering a Great Lake will enjoy an award that reduces the out-of-state tuition rate. Great Lakes Award recipients will receive the benefit of the Michigan resident tuition rate plus 10 percent. Degree-seeking students from Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Ontario are eligible to receive this award.

  Good Neighbor Non-Resident Tuition Waiver

  Graduate/professional students who are residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa and Williams counties in Ohio, or residents of Ontario, Canada who enroll at Wayne State University in eligible academic programs are assessed the equivalent of resident tuition rates. Academic programs which are excluded from this benefit are the School of Medicine MD program and the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

• Residency for tuition purposes

  Current rules and regulations regarding the residency policy can be found in the University Bulletin and are attached to the Application for Residency Classification. The rules and regulations are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Governors, and the university reserves the right to correct errors in a student's residency classification at any time. After enrolling, a student may challenge the initial classification made by the Office of Admissions by filing an Application for Residency Classification with Registration and Scheduling. Applications for Residence Classification must be received by:

  • Sept. 30 for the fall semester and the medical year semester
  • Jan. 31 for the winter semester
  • July 31 for the spring/summer semester

  Deadlines falling on weekends will be extended to the next business day. Applications received after these dates will be processed for the following semester. Please contact Records and Registration at 313-577-8193 for additional information.

Active Military Student Discount

Wayne State has a proven commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive support to active duty students and veterans through the Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence. Individuals in any state on active duty in any component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including Reserves and National Guard, on or before the first day of classes will receive a 50 percent tuition discountthe most expansive tuition benefit program for currently serving military personal students offered by any four-year institution in Michigan.

Reduced tuition for senior citizens (excludes law, M.D. and Pharm.D. programs)

If you are aged 60 or older, you're entitled to a 75 percent reduction of the regular tuition rate. Registration and student services fees as well as any additional class-related fees are not included in the senior citizen discount.

Submit proof of age (e.g., copy of Michigan driver's license or birth certificate) by mailing it to:

Records and Registration
5057 Woodward, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48202

Documents can also be faxed to 313-577-7870 with name and ID number included. You may also email your request and documentation to esp@wayne.edu.

University employee and dependent tuition benefits

WSU offers robust tuition benefits to our employees and their dependents. Review our Total Compensation and Wellness guide for more tuition benefit information. You will need to be admitted to the university in order to register for classes. Please visit the Admissions website for more information

Dropping classes and tuition cancellation

Generally speaking, you can adjust your classes through the last day for tuition cancellation through the Registration Portal. If your account has a hold or you need help dropping the class, email your request, including all applicable class information, from your Wayne State account to registration@wayne.edu. Make sure you check the Class Details panel for your specific class for the exact deadlines for dropping a class: How to Read the Class Details Panel

Once cancelled, course funds will be credited to your account. If this results in an overpayment, you can request a refund from Student Accounts Receivable by calling 313-577-2100. However, if the credit does not cover the outstanding balance, you'll still pay for the remainder in accordance with the billing and payment dates.

If you're receiving financial aid, you should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 313-577-2100 or studentservice@wayne.edu to determine how dropping a class might affect your financial aid package.

If you no longer wish to be enrolled in a class after the tuition cancellation deadline, you will need to withdraw through Academica. You are responsible for tuition on withdrawn classes. Additionally, once the semester ends, you cannot drop a class for which you have already earned a grade.

• Tuition cancellation dates

  Tuition and fees may be cancelled in accordance with the following schedule when students officially drop from classes.

  • Classes meeting fewer than four weeks: Students who officially withdraw from scheduled classes before the first day of classes are entitled to a 100 percent tuition cancellation and no refund thereafter.

  • Classes meeting four to eight weeks: Students who officially withdraw from scheduled classes before the second week of classes are entitled to a 100 percent tuition cancellation and no refund 0% thereafter.

  • Classes meeting nine to 15 weeks: Students who officially withdraw from scheduled classes before the 3rdthird week of classes are entitled to a 100 percent tuition cancellation and no refund thereafter.

  • Classes meeting 16-27 weeks: Students who officially withdraw from scheduled classes before the fourth week of classes are entitled to a 100 percent tuition cancellation and no refund thereafter.

  • Classes meeting 28 or more weeks: Students who officially withdraw from scheduled classes before the seventh week of classes are entitled to a 100 percent tuition cancellation and no refund thereafter.

• Tuition cancellation special adjustment

  The university registrar is authorized to make adjustments in the application of the tuition and fee assessments and enrollment policies when unusual circumstances warrant. Circumstances that may warrant special tuition cancellation include serious illness or death of an immediate family member, or misadvisement by a university representative. Tuition cannot be cancelled for reasons such as changes in work schedule, other employment demands or reasons that are within the student's control. Non-attendance by itself is not an acceptable reason for not dropping in a timely manner.

  The university's Non-Attendance Policy allows tuition cancellation only for students in their first semester at Wayne State University. Instructors for all courses must verify the student did not attend classes after the tuition cancellation deadline. This policy is designed to provide relief to students who in their first semester at Wayne State may not be familiar with the University's Tuition Cancellation Policy.

  A medical withdrawal is a complete withdrawal from all courses. For approved requests, the University Medical Withdrawal Policy will grant 100 percent tuition and fee cancellation if a student stops attending all classes before the end of the 10th week of the scheduled class meeting period in a full fall/winter term. Written documentation must confirm that medical attention was provided during this time period. For medical withdrawals occurring during the 11th or 12th week, tuition cancellation will be granted at the rate of 60 percent. There is no tuition cancellation after the 12th week of the semester. These periods are adjusted proportionally for courses that do not run the full semester. Students are required to submit a Request for Medical Withdrawal application, including medical reports from the attending physician(s).

  All special adjustment requests must be received by the Registrar's Office by:

  • Winter semester - July 1
  • Spring/summer semester - Nov. 1
  • Fall semesterTerm - March 1

  If the deadline falls on a weekend, it will be extended to the next business day. Applications must be received by the filing deadline; exceptions are not granted. Please contact Records and Registration at 313-577-8193 for additional information.

  Financial aid recipients should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 313-577-2100 or studentservice@wayne.edu before submitting an application to determine the effect of this action upon their financial aid.

Delinquent prior semester term balances

You must pay off your prior semester balance in order to maintain your course registrations for a new semester. Prior term balances must be paid in full by the last day of the semester for which the balance is due in cash, certified check, or money orderpersonal checks are not accepted.

• Student financial obligation for payment of tuition and fees

  By completing registration for a semester, students become financially responsible for payment of all applicable fees by the published due date(s). Payments not received by the due date(s) are subject to collection, attorney and litigation costs. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their electronic bill (eBill) and billing and payment dates.

  Additionally, accounts must be current to maintain enrollment eligibility and to receive official university documents and services. If you require additional information, please contact the Student Accounts Receivable Office website or at 313-577-2100.

• Late payment fees

  Please refer to the Office of the Bursar for Late payment fee information and assessment schedule. A complete list of billing and payment due dates is posted on the Cashier's Office website under Billing and payment dates.

Other estimated expenses        

2024 - 2025 academic year estimates - The following are estimated costs for a first-year undergraduate attending full-time in the fall and winter semesters. More information about the cost of attendance can be found on the Financial Aid website. Your estimated costs can be viewed in the Financial Aid Portal in Academica.

Books, supplies, materials & equipment: $1,316 estimated costs for a full-time student for two semesters.

Housing and food: $11,956 living in Ghafari Hall in a double with the unlimited meal plan. Other housing and meal plan options are available.           

Transportation: $1,786 estimated costs which include parking and trips home if you are a full-time student living on campus and bringing a car to campus.  Students not residing on campus should estimate their living and transportation costs on an individual basis.          

Personal Expenses: $2,448 estimated amount that a full-time student may choose to spend on personal needs for two semesters.

Loan fees: Students who borrow federal student loans may incur a loan fee of $80, which is deducted from your loan prior to disbursement.

Questions?

Contact the Student Service Center at 313-577-2100 or studentservice@wayne.edu.