Michigan State vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Michigan State vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or JCU? 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 JCU ($23,657 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 13.5% lower than at John Carroll University ($12,564 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 206.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $34,042 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at JCU than at Michigan State University (about $6,658 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 267% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($35,785 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. JCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 10 points higher than at JCU (1260).
• Incoming Michigan State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at JCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at JCU (3.66).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Michigan State vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and JCU? 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 John Carroll University's (71%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,455 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($263 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.