IIT vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL 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 IIT based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

IIT vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 IIT ($23,657 vs. $24,796).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 27.6% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($12,564 vs. $17,356).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is 218.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $35,928 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at IIT than at Michigan State University (about $8,544 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 356.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($44,547 vs. $9,750).

IIT vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Institute of Technology (1310) is 40 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming IIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Michigan State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than IIT (54.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

IIT vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More IIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.