Michigan State vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Michigan State vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($23,657 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 10.2% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($12,564 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 206.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $34,022 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at MSOE than at Michigan State University (about $6,638 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 279.5% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($36,997 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1280) is 10 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Michigan State vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.