Michigan State vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Michigan State vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or MSU? 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 Montana State University than Michigan State ($20,142 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 10.3% lower than at Montana State University ($12,564 vs. $14,000).
• Michigan State University is 94.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $7,998 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Michigan State than at Montana State University (about $10,555 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at Montana State University (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 20.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($11,763 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 90 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• 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 (84.8%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Michigan State vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montana State University graduates have a $1,484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.