CSU vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Chicago State University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU 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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Chicago State University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Chicago State University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Chicago State University Michigan State University
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Overview

CSU Michigan State
Location Chicago, IL East Lansing, MI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 2,317 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $41,778
Room & Board $13,800 $10,990
Avg Net Price $6,446 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 92%

Admission

CSU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 53,341
Admitted 3,592 46,914
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 88%
Enrolled % 4.8% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.72
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19 25/31
SAT Range 750/963 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

Academics

CSU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

CSU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 21% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $323 $263

Diversity

CSU Michigan State
% Men 33% 47%
% Women 67% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 3% 67%
% Black 75% 7%
% Hispanic 8% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 13%
% Unknown Race 12% 1%

Students

CSU Michigan State
% In-State 77% 71%
% Out-of-State 20% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 98.4% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 445.7% higher at Michigan State than Chicago State University ($41,778.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Michigan State ($6,446 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 25.6% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($10,990 vs. $13,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Chicago State University than Michigan State University (93% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 83% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($15,891 vs. $8,684)

CSU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 284 points higher than at CSU (875)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CSU (3.18)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Chicago State University (77% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $21,700 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $38,300)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $5,766 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($25,484 vs. $31,250)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($263 vs. $323)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 25%)

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