Earlham vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, IN 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 Earlham based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Earlham vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Earlham 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 Earlham ($23,657 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 10.2% lower than at Earlham College ($12,564 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 227.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $37,472 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Earlham than at Michigan State University (about $10,088 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 316.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($40,618 vs. $9,750).

Earlham vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Earlham 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 Earlham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 70 points higher than at Earlham (1200).
• Incoming Earlham 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: Earlham College 1110/1290; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Earlham College 24/33; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Earlham - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Earlham (3.67).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Earlham vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Earlham 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 Earlham College's (66%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Earlham 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.