DePauw vs. Michigan State

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

DePauw Michigan State
Location Greencastle, IN East Lansing, MI
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,819 51,316
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #95 #227
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website depauw.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DePauw Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $56,030 $15,648
Tuition (Out of State) $56,030 $43,032
Room & Board $14,850 $11,754
Avg Net Price $30,507 $24,630
Avg Grant Aid $42,053 $8,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

DePauw Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,197 58,879
Admitted 3,891 49,414
Acceptance Rate 54.1% 83.9%
Enrolled % 12.9% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31 26/31
SAT Range 1140/1430 1150/1350
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

DePauw Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

DePauw Michigan State
Graduation Rate 85% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,000 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,588 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $264 $263

Diversity

DePauw Michigan State
% Men 0% 9%
% Women 0% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 71% 67%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 8% 13%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

DePauw Michigan State
% In-State 36% 76%
% Out-of-State 38% 18%

Campus

DePauw Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No 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 DePauw based on total student enrollment (51,316 students vs. 1,819 students)

DePauw vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePauw or Michigan State?

  • DePauw University is 258.1% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($56,030.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.2% higher at DePauw than Michigan State University ($56,030.00 vs. $43,032.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan State University than DePauw ($24,630 vs. $30,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 26.3% lower than costs at DePauw University ($11,754 vs. $14,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DePauw University than Michigan State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 416.2% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($42,053 vs. $8,147)

DePauw vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at DePauw University (1208) is 49 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming DePauw students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Michigan State (3.72)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than DePauw (54.1%)

DePauw vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DePauw 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 DePauw.

  • The graduation rate at DePauw is higher than Michigan State University (85% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from DePauw University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Michigan State graduates after ten years. ($61,000 vs. $60,000)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $104 lower median federal student loan debt than DePauw graduates. ($25,484 vs. $25,588)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than DePauw graduates. ($263 vs. $264)
  • More DePauw graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 68%)

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