Eastern Michigan University vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI 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 Eastern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 12,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, MI (Large Suburban setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Michigan University 14:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Eastern Michigan University vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern Michigan University 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 Eastern Michigan University than Michigan State ($15,742 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 8% lower than at Eastern Michigan University ($12,564 vs. $13,652).
• Michigan State University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern Michigan University (about $218 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $16,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170% higher at Michigan State than at Eastern Michigan University (about $27,602 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $16,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Michigan University than at Michigan State University (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Michigan University students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($13,370 vs. $9,750).

Eastern Michigan University vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern Michigan University 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 Eastern Michigan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 220 points higher than at Eastern Michigan University (1050).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Eastern Michigan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Michigan University 920/1170; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Michigan University 18/27; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern Michigan University - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Eastern Michigan University (3.37).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Eastern Michigan University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Eastern Michigan University vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Eastern Michigan University vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern Michigan University 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 Eastern Michigan University's (40%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Eastern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $16 lower median loan debt than Eastern Michigan University graduates ($25,484 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($263 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 45%)

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.