Wayne State University

Become a Warrior

Wayne State University is a premier public urban research university located in the heart of Detroit. The 200-acre traditional yet high-tech campus is in the heart of Midtown, offering unparalleled access to cultural experiences, community involvement, and corporate career opportunities.

Wayne State students get more than a diploma—they get hands-on experience that helps them soar into a bright future. Nearly 27,000 students come from every state and nearly 80 countries to form Michigan’s most diverse campus, where education is not confined to the classroom. Wayne State’s standing as a premier urban research university results in plenty of opportunities for students to get into the lab and explore as early as their first year. Detroit is rich with opportunity for experiential learning in a range of fields. Whether students are looking for an internship or a full-time job, Wayne State can help them find their best match. 

Wayne State is a nationally recognized urban center of excellence in research, having received the Carnegie Foundation’s highest classifications for research and community engagement, with annual research expenditures of more than $240 million. 

There’s no place like Detroit
Wayne State University students enjoy the best of both worlds—a traditional college campus filled with historic and high-tech facilities and peaceful pathways, surrounded by a vibrant city pulsing with possibilities. As Detroit evolves and transitions into an entrepreneurial hot spot, there has never been a better time to be in the middle of it all.

We’re located in Midtown, the city center and one of the country’s fastest-growing neighborhoods. On campus, you’ll find 200 acres of green space, walking paths, and state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by renowned cultural institutions and industry-leading employers. 

A community of Warriors
Warriors come from everywhere, from rural communities to bustling cities. They serve in the military; worship in churches, mosques, and synagogues; and speak in hundreds of languages. Some come to Wayne State from families with a long history of college grads; others are the first to pursue higher education. 

We offer an immersive educational experience where students work alongside people from different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With the most culturally diverse student body in Michigan, our students gain a distinct advantage as they prepare to build successful careers in the complex global marketplace. This diversity doesn’t just make us unique—it makes us strong. Wayne State students bring their histories, traditions, and perspectives to Detroit and participate in an exchange of ideas that prepares them to thrive as global citizens, united by a drive to succeed and make an impact on the world.

A world-class education
Academic excellence and pioneering research are central to our mission and a primary reason why students choose to attend Wayne State. We’re one of the 50 largest public universities in the nation. We’re also a member of the University Research Corridor, generating 95% of research in the state and supporting economic growth throughout Michigan. As one of the city’s largest employers, Wayne State has a nearly $2.5 billion impact in Detroit—a driving force behind the city’s resurgence. 

From medicine and mechanical engineering to graphic design and geology, our faculty members are renowned for innovation and expertise in their fields, crafting hands-on curricula to take students out of the classroom and into the real world. We’re increasingly known for our interdisciplinary research in areas such as health sciences and disparities, the environment, entrepreneurship and data analytics, human services and education, manufacturing, language, and the arts. Whether in the lab or on the stage, we’re making a measurable impact in our neighborhood and around the world.