Albion College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Albion College in Albion, MI with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Albion College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Albion College is located in Albion, MI (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Albion College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Albion College 11:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Albion College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Albion College or Michigan State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Albion College than Michigan State ($16,719 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.1% lower than at Albion College ($12,564 vs. $12,830).
• Albion College is 246% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $40,492 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.9% higher at Albion College than at Michigan State University (about $13,108 more per year; $56,950.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Albion College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Albion College students is 446.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($53,298 vs. $9,750).

Albion College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Albion College or Michigan State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Michigan State and Albion College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 220 points higher than at Albion College (1050).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Albion College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 930/1160; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Albion College 19/27; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Albion College - Test-free; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Albion College (3.48).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Albion College (80.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Albion College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Albion College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Albion College and Michigan State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Albion College's (68%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Albion College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $55,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,716 lower median loan debt than Albion College graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,200).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Albion College graduates ($263 vs. $281).
• More Albion College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.