Michigan State vs. MVNU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than MVNU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Michigan State vs. MVNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or MVNU? 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University than Michigan State ($22,961 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 17.3% lower than at Michigan State University ($10,394 vs. $12,564).
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University is 125.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $20,700 more per year; $37,158.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Michigan State than at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (about $6,684 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $37,158.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students is 175.8% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($26,886 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. MVNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 90 points higher than at MVNU (1180).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at MVNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Mount Vernon Nazarene University 1046/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Mount Vernon Nazarene University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; MVNU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at MVNU (3.55).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than MVNU (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 29.3% at MVNU.

Michigan State vs. MVNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and MVNU? 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University's (57%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than MVNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,052 lower median loan debt than MVNU graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,536).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MVNU graduates ($263 vs. $274).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MVNU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.