Michigan State vs. Allegheny College

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Allegheny College in Meadville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Allegheny College is in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Allegheny College 8:1.

Michigan State vs. Allegheny College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Allegheny College? 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 Allegheny College ($23,657 vs. $26,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 10.9% lower than at Allegheny College ($12,564 vs. $14,100).
• Allegheny College is 243.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $40,092 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at Allegheny College than at Michigan State University (about $12,708 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 361.4% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($44,987 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Allegheny College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or Allegheny College? 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 Allegheny College and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is the same as at Allegheny College (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Allegheny College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Allegheny College 1173/1358.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Allegheny College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Allegheny College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Allegheny College (3.53).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 10.4% at Allegheny College.

Michigan State vs. Allegheny College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Allegheny College? 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).

• Allegheny 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 $4,800 more per year than Allegheny College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $3,516 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($25,484 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($263 vs. $299).
• More Allegheny College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.