Academic Catalog

Tuition and Fees

Listed below are the Tuition and Fees, as adopted by the Board of Governors, for the 2024-25 Academic Year. Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for rates in Undergraduate programs. Current tuition and fee information is also available on the Office of the Registrar's website. Tuition and Fees are subject to change without notice by action of the Board of Governors.

Tuition and Fees, Graduate

All Schools (other than listed below)*

Resident $796.84 per credit
Non-Resident $1,725.96 per credit
*

Schools covered in this section include: Education (except for Division of Kinesiology), Graduate School, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Social Work.

Education (Division of Kinesiology)

Resident $905.93 per credit
Non-Resident $1,835.05 per credit

Business, Engineering** and Information Science

Resident $924.85 per credit
Non-Resident $1,853.97 per credit
**

This includes all Engineering programs except for the Global Executive Track in Industrial Engineering.

Global Executive Track Doctoral Program in Industrial Engineering

Resident $1,849.70 per credit
Non-Resident $2,778.82 per credit

Fine, Performing and Communication Arts

Resident $836.69 per credit
Non-Resident $1,765.81 per credit

Law: J.D. and Graduate Programs

Resident $1,239.58 per credit
Non-Resident $1,359.87 per credit

Medicine: Graduate Programs

Resident $992.61 per credit
Non-Resident $1,873.88 per credit

Medicine: M.D. Program

Resident (Flat Rate) $39,975.00
Resident (Per Credit) $801.00 per credit
Non-Resident (Flat Rate) $66,998.00
Non-Resident (Per Credit) $1,339.00 per credit
***

M.D. students registered for at least 10 credits per term will be charged a flat term rate (annual rate/four terms) along with associated fees. All students registered for less than 10 credits per term will be charged per credit hour along with associated fees.

Nursing

Resident $1,087.11 per credit
Non-Resident $2,016.24 per credit

Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Resident $905.93 per credit
Non-Resident $1,835.05 per credit

Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Pharm.D. Program

Resident $905.93 per credit
Non-Resident $1,177.70 per credit

Registration Fee

There is a $370.73 registration fee for graduate and professional students (other than M.D. students). The registration fee is refundable according to the same principles as tuition and other fees.

Late Registration Fee

Any student registering after the priority registration date must pay either a $35.00 Late Registration Fee if registration is completed before the start of classes or $70.00 if completed after the start of classes. Late Registration Fees will be waived for new students in their first term of WSU enrollment.

Student Services Fee

Graduate and professional students (other than M.D. students) are assessed a $64.07 fee per credit per term. The Student Services Fee is used primarily to maintain, upgrade and replace student computing and technology resources on campus. A small portion is also used to fund student activities on campus, and to enhance programs directed toward improving on-campus activities, including athletics.

Doctoral Candidate Maintenance Fee

If a student has registered for all four Candidate Status courses but has not completed the dissertation requirements, the student may register in Candidate Maintenance status (9995) until the requirements are completed, the time limit for the degree is reached, or the students withdraws from the program. Registration in Candidate Maintenance Status is required in all semesters in which the student uses University resources, including the semester in which the student defends the dissertation. The Candidate Maintenance fee is $434.80 (equivalent to the Registration Fee plus the Student Services Fee for one graduate credit) and confers full-time registration status.

Medical Student Fees

M.D. students are assessed a Student Service Fee of $406.00 per term (4 terms in total) and an annual Student Support Fee of $1,080.00.

Student Exchange and Visitors Information Service (SEVIS) Fee

International students and scholars/visitors who must be reported through the federal SEVIS system shall be charged a $50.00 non-refundable fee for each term of enrollment.

Course Material Fees

These fees are required of some classes in which a relatively large portion of instructional costs is due to the necessary use of consumable resources. The fee is automatically assessed; a fee card is not required. The fee may be canceled when a course is officially dropped within the tuition and fee cancellation period specified in each semester’s term calendar. For additional information, contact the Department offering the course. Courses listed as having special fees require payment of the fee in addition to the tuition.

Music Fees

Students registering for music courses taken as private lessons pay an additional fee. In the event of withdrawal, the student will receive a refund of the difference between the fee assessed and the cost to the University of any lessons that were provided.

Examination Fee for Credit by Examination

The fee for an examination taken to establish credit by examination is $10.00 per credit. Such examinations will be approved under provisions established by the Schools and Colleges. Credit allowed on the basis of transcript entries from another institution is not applicable to this provision.

Graduation/Certificate Fee

There shall be a $40.00 fee for students who apply for a degree or certificate/diploma. Graduate applicants for graduate degrees will not be charged the Graduation Fee as they pay a higher Registration Fee. Undergraduates who are new to the university in fall 2014 or after will pay a Matriculation Fee in lieu of a Graduation Fee and in lieu of an Orientation Fee.  

Payment of Tuition and Fees

Student Financial Obligation for Payment of Tuition and Fees

When registering for courses each semester students are required to electronically sign a "Financial Responsibility Agreement." This agreement represents a binding contract obligating the student to pay all tuition and fees assessed including any collection, attorney, and/or litigation costs associated with collecting those fees, in the event of non-payment.

Payment Due Dates

  • FALL TERM: Payment is due August 15.
  • WINTER TERM: Payment is due December 15.
  • SPRING/SUMMER TERM: Payment is due April 15.

Students registering on or after these payment dates are expected to pay the balance in full at the time of registration.

Payments not received by the due date(s) are subject to late payment fees. Failure to make payment because a statement of account or invoice is not received does not exempt students from late payment fees. Please refer to the Office of the Bursar's complete eBill Posting Schedule and Payment Due Dates.

Payment Options

The Office of the Bursar provides complete details for the available tuition and fee payment options.

Delinquent Prior Term Balances

Personal checks are not accepted as payment for delinquent balances. Payment must be made by cash, certified check, money order or credit card.

IMPORTANT: Students who do not drop their courses during the tuition cancellation period for the term are financially obligated to pay for the courses even if they have not attended any class sessions. Specific dates are available in the Academic Calendar.

Students with questions regarding any information presented in Payment of Tuition and Fees section above should contact the Office of the University Bursar at 313-577-3653.

Disclosure Statement

The University reserves the right to update and/or change this information at anytime.

Late Registration

Registration is not permitted beyond the prescribed registration date unless extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student warrant an exception to University Policy as determined by the University Registrar. In such cases, full tuition, Registration Fee and Late Registration Fee is due on the day of registration.

Short Term Courses

Payment of the full tuition and the non-refundable Registration Fee is required on the date of registration or no later than the first class meeting date. Late Payment Fees are assessed to any student who has not paid his/her tuition and fee assessment by the eBill due date.

Special Adjustments

The University Registrar is authorized to make adjustments in the application of the policies stated in this section when unusual circumstances warrant. Examples of circumstances which may warrant special consideration include: serious illness or death of the student or someone closely related, or mis-advisement by a University representative. Tuition cannot be canceled for reasons such as changes in work schedule or other employment demands, claims of lack of information, insufficient funds, unawareness of the difference between tuition and student financial aid, undocumented reasons, or for reasons that are within the control of the student. Non-attendance, except for situations falling under the University non-attendance policy (below), is not in and of itself a reason for tuition and fee cancellation. Students (or an authorized representative in the case of death or serious illness) must submit their applications and supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar. A medical withdrawal is a complete withdrawal from all courses, supported by medical reports from the attending physician. Requests for exceptions to tuition and fee policies must be submitted within approximately two months of the end of the term, as follows:

  • Fall Term - March 1
  • Winter Term - July 1
  • Spring/Summer Term - November 1

Deadlines falling on weekends will be extended to the next business day.

University Non-Attendance Policy

The University Non-Attendance Policy will allow 100% tuition cancellation only for students in their first term of attendance 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 those students who in their first semester at Wayne State may not be familiar with the University's Tuition Cancellation Policy.

Where the student has otherwise proceeded properly, (s)he may be granted full cancellation of tuition and fees assessed for the class(es) involved:

  • If the University cancels the class(es), or
  • If the University re-schedules the class(es) after the student has registered and (s)he is now unable to attend, or
  • If an authorized University representative has taken action which causes financial loss related to tuition, e.g., authorizing a student's schedule when the student does not have the necessary prerequisite(s).

Appeal Procedures: If a student (or an authorized representative in the case of death or serious illness) is dissatisfied with the Registrar's decision with reference to this policy, the student (or an authorized representative) may appeal to the Tuition and Fee Appeals Board through the University Ombudsperson.

Tuition Cancellation

Tuition may be canceled in accordance with the following schedule when students officially drop classes using the Academica on-line portal, by submitting a properly completed Register/Drop/Add form, or by sending a certified letter to the Office of the Registrar. A certified letter requesting to drop classes sent through the U.S. Postal Service shall be considered effective on the date it is received in the Office of the Registrar.

Students who officially drop classes before the conclusion of the first two weeks of classes (for the Fall and Winter terms) are entitled to 100% tuition cancellation, and the dropped classes do not appear on the academic record.

Students are contractually liable for tuition unless they take official action during the tuition cancellation period to drop classes.

Students who officially withdraw from fifteen-week classes after the second week of classes (for the Fall and Winter terms) are not entitled to any tuition cancellation.

The tuition cancellation schedule shown below applies to courses that start in accordance with the Official University Academic Calendar. The tuition cancellation schedule for courses with specially approved starting dates is dependent upon the starting date of the course. Questions about the tuition cancellation schedule should be referred to the University Registrar.

Classes meeting fewer than four weeks: Students who officially drop scheduled classes before the first day of classes are entitled to a 100% tuition cancellation and 0% thereafter.

Classes meeting four to eight weeks: Students who officially drop scheduled classes before the second week of classes are entitled to a 100% tuition cancellation and 0% thereafter.

Classes meeting nine to fifteen weeks: Students who officially drop scheduled classes before the third week of classes are entitled to a 100% tuition cancellation and 0% thereafter.

Classes meeting sixteen to twenty-seven weeks: Students who officially drop scheduled classes before the fourth week of classes are entitled to a 100% tuition cancellation and 0% thereafter.

Classes meeting twenty-eight or more weeks: Students who officially drop scheduled classes before the seventh week of classes are entitled to a 100% tuition cancellation and 0% thereafter.

University policy allows for requests for medical exception. For approved requests, the university medical exception policy will grant 100% tuition and fee cancellation. Courses granted a medical exception will not display on the transcript, although any attempted hours associated with that course will be reflected in transcript totals. While a request is under review tuition payments should be made as scheduled.

Tuition Regulations and Review Procedures

The following regulations and review procedures are established by Wayne State University for tuition and fee purposes. Wayne State University recognizes three means by which an individual may establish eligibility for in-state tuition and fees:

  1. By establishing residence by presence in the State of Michigan;
  2. By establishing attendance at Michigan high schools; or
  3. By establishing military service status.

Establishing Residence by Presence in Michigan

Generally, in order to establish residence by presence in the State of Michigan, an individual must document at least six months of continuous physical presence in the State. The six months continuous residence must be completed before the first day of classes for the semester in which in-state tuition is sought. Even if someone is present in Michigan for six months, the person may not qualify for in-state tuition; it depends on whether the person is in Michigan for educational purposes or some other reason. Under limited circumstances which clearly demonstrate that a student's presence in the State of Michigan is not primarily for educational purposes, the student may be eligible for in-state tuition prior to the passage of the six-month presence requirement.

Temporary Absences

In general, a person's residence is the place where he or she actually lives with the intention of making it the person's permanent home and to which he or she intends to return from temporary absences. A person may be temporarily absent from Michigan without affecting his or her previously established residence. Full-time attendance at a school outside Michigan or enlistment in a military service are examples of temporary absences. Other types of absences for more than six months will be presumed not to be temporary.

Presence for Educational Purposes

Coming to Michigan from another state or country in order to attend Wayne State University or another school does not establish residence. A non-resident at the time of his or her enrollment remains a non-resident throughout his or her presence as a student, except where it can be established that presence in the State of Michigan is primarily for purposes that are not educational, with enrollment only incidental to the primary purpose of being in Michigan. If a student enrolls in undergraduate school for more than eight credits, or in graduate school for more than six credits, or in Law School for more than ten credits in any one full length semester, within six months after arrival in Michigan, Wayne State University normally presumes that the student is in Michigan for the purpose of attending school. Applicants must demonstrate that their presence in Michigan is primarily for purposes that are not related to enrollment.

Factors Considered in a Residence Classification

The following circumstances, although not conclusive, support a claim for in-state tuition on the basis of residence:

  1. The student is employed in Michigan on a permanent, full-time basis or has accepted an offer of permanent employment in Michigan.
  2. The student's parents (or in the case of divorce, one parent) are legal residents of Michigan as shown by their permanent employment in Michigan and/or their establishment of a primary household in Michigan, and the applicant previously was a resident of Michigan and has maintained significant connections to Michigan.
  3. The student's spouse or partner is employed in Michigan on a permanent, full-time basis and the applicant moved to Michigan as a consequence of that employment; and
  4. The student has severed ties to his or her previous state of residence so that he or she no longer can reasonably be considered to be a resident of another state.

Factors Typically Not Supporting Residence Classification

The following circumstances, standing alone, do not typically support residence, inasmuch as they may be common to a temporary or short-term presence in Michigan:

  1. Employment by the University as a fellow, scholar, assistant, or in any position normally filled by students;
  2. A statement of intention to establish residence in this state;
  3. Payment of local and state taxes; or
  4. Automobile registration, driver's license, continued presence in Michigan during vacation periods.

Although insufficient to establish residence, certain of these factors may be taken into consideration in determining whether a student has severed ties to the student's previous state of residence.

For purposes of these regulations, the age of majority is eighteen years. Except as provided in paragraph 7 of this section, a minor does not have the capacity to establish his or her own legal residence. Normally, the legal residence of a minor follows:

  1. That of the parents or surviving parent; or
  2. That of the parent to whom custody of the minor has been awarded by a divorce or other judicial decree; or
  3. That of the parent with whom the minor in fact makes his or her home, if there has been a separation without a judicial award of custody; or
  4. That of an adoptive parent, where there has been a legal adoption, even though the natural parents or parent may be living; or
  5. That of a "natural" guardian, such as grandparent with whom the minor in fact makes his or her home, where the minor has permanently left his or her parental home and reasonable expectation of substantial financial support from the parents has been dissolved. A natural guardian is someone who, although not legally the minor's parent or guardian, performs the same sort of parental duties.
  6. If a Michigan resident parent or guardian of a minor moves his or her residence to another state, the minor shall remain eligible for resident tuition status as long as he or she continues to attend school regularly in this state.
  7. A minor who has permanently left his or her parental home, and who has no reasonable expectation of significant financial support from his or her parents or legal guardian, etc., may qualify for resident status even if under eighteen years of age.

Non-U.S. Citizen

A non-U.S. citizen may apply for resident status in the same manner as a citizen, if he or she is in the United States for other than a temporary educational purpose. In order to demonstrate this, applicants must provide evidence from the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services of one of the following:

  1. A U.S. permanent resident alien with a green card.
  2. An applicant for U.S. permanent residence whose Petition for Alien Relative, or Employment-based Immigration Petition for Alien Worker has been approved, or who has been issued an Employment Authorization document pending adjustment of status. These individuals will have documentation of this status such as an I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) or I-140 (Immigration Petition for Alien Working) Approval Notice, or an I-151 or I-551 Notice of Action indicating approval of petition to become an immigrant.
  3. An alien with a current valid visa type issued for purposes of working in the United States, and currently working in the State of Michigan. These currently include visa types of A, E, G, H, I, L, R, and TN.
  4. An Alien granted asylum or refugee status.

Attendance of Michigan High Schools

An individual may be eligible for in-state tuition on the basis of high school attendance if he or she demonstrates that he or she:

  1. Attended an accredited Michigan high school for at least three years and thereafter graduated from an accredited Michigan high school or obtained his or her GED in Michigan; and
  2. Enrolls at Wayne State University within twenty-eight months of graduating from high school or obtaining a GED.

An individual does not need to be a legal resident of Michigan or a citizen of the United States to qualify for in-state tuition on the basis of attendance at Michigan schools.

Military Service

Individuals on active duty in the U.S. Military who are stationed in Michigan and their dependents are eligible for Michigan in-state tuition. Stationing orders and proof of relationship (for dependents) must be provided with the application.

Veterans and their dependents are eligible for Michigan in-state tuition. The term "veteran" means a citizen of the United States or a resident alien whose most recent separation from any branch of the armed forces of the United States was under conditions other than dishonorable after having served on active duty for 90 consecutive days or more or by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty.

Individuals who are members of the National Guard of any state, or who were separated from the National Guard of any state under conditions other than dishonorable, and their dependents are eligible for Michigan in-state tuition.

Without regard to the foregoing, any individual using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, and/or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the State of Michigan while attending Wayne State University (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) is eligible for Michigan in-state tuition.

Good Neighbor Provisions

Residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa, and Williams counties in Ohio, or residents of Ontario, Canada, who are enrolled in eligible graduate programs will pay in-state tuition. WSU Tuition and Fee Regulations published each academic year identify specific academic programs eligible for this provision.

Great Lakes Policy (Undergraduate Only)

Residents of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, or Pennsylvania, or the province of Ontario, Canada, who are enrolled in eligible undergraduate programs and who are not eligible for the Good Neighbor Policy may pay tuition and fees at 110% of the then-current instate rate.

Online Programs

Students enrolled in programs which are offered online in their entirety will have the out-state portion of their tuition waived. WSU Tuition and Fee Regulations published each academic year will identify the specific academic programs eligible for this provision.

Review Procedures

Initial Classification and Appeal

  1. The student is responsible for registering under proper residence or tuition status and advising the University of changes in circumstances, which might affect tuition status. Questions concerning a student's residence or tuition status prior to enrollment should be raised with the Office of Admissions. Questions arising after enrollment should be raised with the Registrar's Office.
  2. After enrolling, a student may challenge the initial classification made by the Office of Admissions by filing an Application for Residence Classification or Change in Tuition Status with the Registrar's Office.
  3. Except for documented delays caused by University personnel, such applications must be filed by:
    1. September 30 for the Fall semester and the Medical Year semester
    2. January 31 for the Winter semester
    3. July 31 for the Spring/Summer semester

Deadlines falling on weekends or on days when the University is closed will be extended to the next business day. Applications received after these dates will be processed for the following semester.

Further Appeal

A student may appeal the initial tuition decision as follows:

  1. By filing a written notice of appeal with the Registrar within thirty (30) days after the student is notified of the classification decision. The notice of appeal shall include reasons for the appeal, the period for which resident status is claimed, and a complete statement of the facts on which the appeal is based, together with supporting affidavits or other documentary evidence. Failure to file notice within thirty (30) days shall constitute a waiver of any right to further appeal. The student has the right to consult the University Ombuds Office at any time, and the student may particularly want to utilize the Ombudsperson's services at this point in the review procedures.
  2. A student may appeal the Registrar's decision by filing a written notice of appeal with the Office of the General Counsel within fifteen (15) days from the date of the Registrar's decision. Failure to file written notice of appeal of the Registrar's decision with the Office of the General Counsel within fifteen (15) days shall constitute a waiver of any right to further appeal.
  3. A student may appeal the decision of the Office of the General Counsel within fifteen (15) days with the Office of the President. Failure to file written notice of appeal of the General Counsel's decision with the Office of the President within fifteen (15) days shall constitute a waiver of any right to further appeal. After the notice of appeal, the President or his designee shall review the student's appeal and render a final decision.

Erroneous Classification

  1. If an erroneous classification of non-residence occurs, an adjustment for the appropriate period and amount will be made.
  2. If an erroneous classification of residence occurs, the student shall be reclassified as a non-resident student. If the cause of his or her incorrect classification shall be found to be due to any material concealment of facts or false statement made by the student before the time of the original classification, the student will be required to pay all tuition and fees which would have been charged to him or her and also will be subject also to appropriate discipline in accordance with University Student Code of Conduct. If it is determined that there is no such concealment of facts by the student, fees shall be adjusted only for current and future semesters.

Effective Dates of Residence Regulations

Amended statute as adopted on September 20, 2013, will be effective for the Winter Semester 2014.

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