Michigan State vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Michigan State vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($23,657 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 7.6% lower than at Chatham University ($12,564 vs. $13,600).
• Chatham University is 171.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $28,168 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Chatham than at Michigan State University (about $784 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 208.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($30,095 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Michigan State vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Chatham? 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $4,984 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($211 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 62%)

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.