Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Purdue Oakland UM-Dearborn DePauw| Butler University | Michigan State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 |
|
|
||
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/