LSU vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Louisiana State University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if LSU or Michigan State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Louisiana State University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Louisiana State University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Louisiana State University Michigan State University
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Overview

LSU Michigan State
Location Baton Rouge, LA East Lansing, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Rural Fringe
Enrollment 39,418 51,316
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #287 #227
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsu.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $8,038 $15,648
Tuition (Out of State) $8,038 $43,032
Room & Board $14,296 $11,754
Avg Net Price $21,808 $24,630
Avg Grant Aid $13,509 $8,147
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 96%

Admission

LSU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 42,558 58,879
Admitted 31,491 49,414
Acceptance Rate 74% 83.9%
Enrolled % 23.9% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 26/31
SAT Range 1150/1330 1150/1350
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

LSU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

LSU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 60% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,900 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $216 $263

Diversity

LSU Michigan State
% Men 7% 9%
% Women 11% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 67%
% Black 12% 7%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 13%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

LSU Michigan State
% In-State 61% 76%
% Out-of-State 37% 18%

Campus

LSU Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than LSU based on total student enrollment (51,316 students vs. 39,418 students)

LSU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 94.7% more expensive to attend than LSU for in-state tuition ($15,648.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 435.4% higher at Michigan State than Louisiana State University ($43,032.00 vs. $8,038.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University than Michigan State ($21,808 vs. $24,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 21.6% lower than costs at Louisiana State University ($11,754 vs. $14,296)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than Louisiana State University (96% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 65.8% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($13,509 vs. $8,147)

LSU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or LSU .

  • The average SAT score at Louisiana State University (1163) is 4 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming LSU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Michigan State (3.72)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than LSU (74%)

LSU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSU 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 LSU.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Louisiana State University (77% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than LSU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $56,900)
  • Louisiana State University students graduate with a $4,584 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($20,900 vs. $25,484)
  • LSU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($216 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/