Butler vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Butler University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Butler or Michigan State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Butler University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Butler University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Butler University Michigan State University
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Overview

Butler Michigan State
Location Indianapolis, IN East Lansing, MI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,525 50,023
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #210 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website butler.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Butler Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $43,470 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $43,470 $41,778
Room & Board $15,260 $10,990
Avg Net Price $37,399 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $25,728 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 92%

Admission

Butler Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,386 53,341
Admitted 10,985 46,914
Acceptance Rate 82.1% 88%
Enrolled % 10.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.92 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30 25/31
SAT Range 1110/1320 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Butler Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Butler Michigan State
Graduation Rate 72% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,400 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $279 $263

Diversity

Butler Michigan State
% Men 39% 47%
% Women 61% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 67%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 13%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Butler Michigan State
% In-State 45% 71%
% Out-of-State 53% 21%

Campus

Butler Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Butler based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 5,525 students)

Butler vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Michigan State?

  • Butler University is 186.1% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($43,470.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4% higher at Butler than Michigan State University ($43,470.00 vs. $41,778.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan State University than Butler ($22,803 vs. $37,399)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 38.9% lower than costs at Butler University ($10,990 vs. $15,260)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Butler University than Michigan State University (98% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 196.3% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($25,728 vs. $8,684)

Butler vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or Butler .

  • The average SAT score at Butler University (1209) is 50 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming Butler students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Michigan State (3.72)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Butler (82.1%)

Butler vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Butler or Michigan State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Michigan State and Butler.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Butler University (77% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Butler University earn on average $8,400 more per year than Michigan State graduates after ten years. ($68,400 vs. $60,000)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $1,516 lower median federal student loan debt than Butler graduates. ($25,484 vs. $27,000)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Butler graduates. ($263 vs. $279)
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/