Hope College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, 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 Hope College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hope College 9:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Hope College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope College 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 Hope College ($23,657 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 3% lower than at Hope College ($12,564 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 155% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $25,512 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Michigan State than at Hope College (about $1,872 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at Michigan State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 155.8% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($24,945 vs. $9,750).

Hope College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope College 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 Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 50 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Hope College 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: Hope College 1100/1340; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Hope College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope College 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Michigan State University's (77%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.