Michigan State vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Michigan State vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or ONU? 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 ONU ($23,657 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 14% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($12,564 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 141.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $23,342 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Michigan State than at Ohio Northern University (about $4,042 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Michigan State University (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 184.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($27,696 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than ONU (74.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Michigan State vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 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 ONU graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.