Michigan State vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Houghton University is in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Houghton University 12:1.

Michigan State vs. Houghton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Houghton University? 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 Houghton University than Michigan State ($21,274 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 9.6% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,360 vs. $12,564).
• Houghton University is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $1,972 more per year; $18,430.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.9% higher at Michigan State than at Houghton University (about $25,412 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houghton University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($9,902 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Houghton University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is the same as at Houghton University (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Houghton University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

Michigan State vs. Houghton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Houghton University? 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 Houghton University's (68%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $16 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($25,484 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Houghton University and Michigan State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($263 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.