Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Iowa Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU Purdue Nebraska UIC Minnesota| Iowa State University | Michigan State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
| Location | Ames, IA | East Lansing, MI | ||
| Setting | Small City | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 29,969 | 50,023 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #352 | #240 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | iastate.edu | msu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,678 | $15,192 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $25,162 | $41,778 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,358 | $10,990 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,310 | $22,803 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,043 | $8,684 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 80% | 92% |
Admission |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 21,919 | 53,341 | ||
| Admitted | 19,776 | 46,914 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.2% | 88% | ||
| Enrolled % | 29% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.7 | 3.72 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 25/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1090/1350 | 1160/1360 | ||
| 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 |
Academics |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
| Graduation Rate | 68% | 77% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $53,700 | $60,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 68% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,868 | $25,484 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $263 |
Diversity |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 55% | 47% | ||
| % Women | 45% | 53% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 67% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 7% | 13% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 1% |
Students |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 52% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 45% | 21% | ||
Campus |
ISU | Michigan State | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Michigan State University is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 29,969 students)
ISU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ISU or Michigan State?
- Michigan State University is 75.1% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $8,678.00)
- Out of state tuition is 66% higher at Michigan State than Iowa State University ($41,778.00 vs. $25,162.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Michigan State ($15,310 vs. $22,803)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 17.4% lower than costs at Michigan State University ($9,358 vs. $10,990)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than Iowa State University (92% vs. 80%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 27.2% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($11,043 vs. $8,684)
ISU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or ISU .
- The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 17 points higher than at ISU (1142)
- Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at ISU (25)
- Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at ISU (3.7)
- ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than Michigan State (88%)
ISU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ISU 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 ISU.
- The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Iowa State University (77% vs. 68%)
- Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $6,300 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $53,700)
- Iowa State University students graduate with a $1,616 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($23,868 vs. $25,484)
- ISU graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($246 vs. $263)
- More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/