Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Michigan Tech? 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 Technological University than Michigan State ($16,879 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 3.7% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($12,564 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $2,665 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Michigan State than at Michigan Technological University (about $854 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $42,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 104.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($19,898 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 30 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Michigan State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Michigan Tech (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,416 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($263 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.