Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste Marie, 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 Lake Superior State University based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,567 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lake Superior State University is located in Sault Ste Marie, MI (Remote Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lake Superior State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lake Superior State University 13:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Superior State 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 Lake Superior State University than Michigan State ($12,339 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Superior State University are 8.8% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,459 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lake Superior State University (about $1,568 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $14,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.4% higher at Michigan State than at Lake Superior State University (about $28,952 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $14,890.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Superior State University than at Michigan State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Superior State University students is 50.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($14,632 vs. $9,750).

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lake Superior State 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 Lake Superior State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 160 points higher than at Lake Superior State University (1110).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Lake Superior State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Superior State University 1000/1225; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lake Superior State University 19/26; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lake Superior State University - Not reported; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2).

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lake Superior State 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 Lake Superior State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Lake Superior State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Superior State University graduates have a $2,234 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Lake Superior State University graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($240 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 57%)

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.