Michigan State vs. OWU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

Michigan State vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or OWU? 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 Ohio Wesleyan University than Michigan State ($23,006 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 14.4% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($12,564 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 227.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $37,430 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at OWU than at Michigan State University (about $10,046 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 366.5% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($45,481 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. OWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 40 points higher than at OWU (1230).
• Incoming Michigan State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at OWU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at OWU (3.54).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than OWU (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 12.6% at OWU.

Michigan State vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and OWU? 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 Wesleyan University's (61%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than OWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than OWU graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.