Bradley vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Bradley University in Peoria, IL 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 Bradley based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 4,777 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bradley University is located in Peoria, IL (Midsize City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bradley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bradley University 11:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Bradley vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bradley 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 Michigan State University than Bradley ($23,657 vs. $23,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 6.9% lower than at Bradley University ($12,564 vs. $13,500).
• Bradley University is 156.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $25,702 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Michigan State than at Bradley University (about $1,682 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $42,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bradley University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bradley University students is 216% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($30,808 vs. $9,750).

Bradley vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bradley 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 Bradley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 70 points higher than at Bradley (1200).
• Incoming Bradley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Michigan State (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 1090/1300; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 25/31; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bradley - Test-free; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bradley students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Bradley (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Bradley vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Bradley vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bradley 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 Bradley University's (75%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Bradley graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $56,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Bradley graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bradley graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Bradley 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.