Kalamazoo College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kalamazoo College is located in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kalamazoo College 10:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Kalamazoo College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College ($23,657 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 0.1% lower than at Michigan State University ($12,549 vs. $12,564).
• Kalamazoo College is 270.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $44,592 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.3% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Michigan State University (about $17,208 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 384.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($47,252 vs. $9,750).

Kalamazoo College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 10 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 1170/1380; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kalamazoo College 20/29; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kalamazoo College - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Kalamazoo College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at Kalamazoo College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Kalamazoo College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kalamazoo 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Michigan State University's (77%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $966 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($263 vs. $273).
• More Kalamazoo College 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.