Michigan State vs. MSU

Should I go to Michigan State University or Montana State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan State or MSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU Colorado State ISU UW Oakland UM-Dearborn
Michigan State University vs. Montana State University comparison
Michigan State University Montana State University College 3 College 4
Michigan State University Montana State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Michigan State MSU
Location East Lansing, MI Bozeman, MT
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 50,023 16,681
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #240 #590
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msu.edu montana.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan State MSU
Tuition (In State) $15,192 $5,824
Tuition (Out of State) $41,778 $27,391
Room & Board $10,990 $11,300
Avg Net Price $22,803 $17,250
Avg Grant Aid $8,684 $5,749
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

Michigan State MSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,341 28,794
Admitted 46,914 21,116
Acceptance Rate 88% 73.3%
Enrolled % 21% 17.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/31 20/27
SAT Range 1160/1360 1070/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Michigan State MSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Michigan State MSU
Graduation Rate 77% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,000 $45,800
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,484 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $248

Diversity

Michigan State MSU
% Men 47% 52%
% Women 53% 48%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 86%
% Black 7% 1%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 13% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Michigan State MSU
% In-State 71% 35%
% Out-of-State 21% 65%

Campus

Michigan State MSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than MSU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 16,681 students)

Michigan State vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or MSU?

  • Michigan State University is 160.9% more expensive to attend than MSU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $5,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.5% higher at Michigan State than Montana State University ($41,778.00 vs. $27,391.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Montana State University than Michigan State ($17,250 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.8% lower than costs at Montana State University ($10,990 vs. $11,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Montana State University than Michigan State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 51.1% larger than aid received Montana State University ($8,684 vs. $5,749)

Michigan State vs. MSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or MSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSU or Michigan State .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 28 points higher than at MSU (1131)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at MSU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MSU (3.5)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than MSU (73.3%)

Michigan State vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan State or MSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between MSU and Michigan State.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Montana State University (77% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $14,200 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $45,800)
  • Montana State University students graduate with a $1,484 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,484)
  • MSU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($248 vs. $263)
  • More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/