Michigan State vs. Canisius

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Canisius University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Canisius University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Canisius University 11:1.

Michigan State vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Canisius? 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 Canisius University than Michigan State ($19,666 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 7.3% lower than at Canisius University ($12,564 vs. $13,560).
• Canisius University is 109.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $18,042 more per year; $34,500.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Michigan State than at Canisius University (about $9,342 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Canisius University students is 156.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($24,972 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 80 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Canisius).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Canisius University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Canisius University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Canisius - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Canisius (3.7).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Michigan State vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Canisius? 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 Canisius University's (67%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $734 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($24,750 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($255 vs. $263).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.