New Wayne State Program Opens Doors for Detroit High Schoolers
Wayne State University announced a new path for admission for Detroit students. The program, Warriors on the Rise, gives spots to Detroit Public Schools juniors who keep a 3.0.
WSU administrators and students pose with DPSCD leaders following the signing of the Warriors on the Rise collaboration agreement.
Image Courtesy Wayne StateWayne State University announced a new path for admission for Detroit students in September 2025. The program, Warriors on the Rise, gives spots to Detroit Public Schools juniors who keep a 3.0 average.
The school district will put strong juniors straight into Wayne State's system. To join, students must complete two math credits and two English credits.
"If we can increase the number of students who get into Wayne State or another institution and finish, you are talking about changing their trajectory, (and) of the city and potentially the state," said DPSCD Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather per Bridge Michigan.
Students get help from guides who show them the ropes. The program gives tips about money for school, class choices, and ways to visit campus. They can watch and attend school events for less money and try college classes while finishing high school.
The school's data shows ups and downs. Detroit student numbers at WSU grew from 192 in 2018 to 316 in 2024, then fell to 294 in 2025. Wayne State taught 24,168 students total in fall 2025.
Success after starting school needs work. Just half of the 139 Detroit students from 2019 finished in six years. This falls short of Wayne State's usual rate - 60% of first-time students graduate in that time.
New students from Michigan pay as much as $26,006 in total costs if they stay at home, or $33,244 to live at school. Most students - about 60% - don't pay any tuition thanks to financial aid.
Charles Cotton III runs enrollment at Wayne State. He says this fits with the state leader's goal: 60% of adults in Michigan should finish a certificate or college by 2030.
"For us, this work becomes critical because we want to see the students not just start their collegiate journey, but complete their collegiate journey," Cotton said.
From 2016 to 2022, more Detroit students picked Wayne State than any other college. The Detroit College Access Network counted 2,110 students choosing the school.
This new program joins others like Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge and Detroit Promise that give free education to city kids.
