Michigan State vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

Michigan State vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Penn State Beaver? 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 Penn State Beaver than Michigan State ($18,581 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 13.2% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($12,564 vs. $14,474).
• Michigan State University is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $2,050 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at Michigan State than at Penn State Beaver (about $19,708 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University as at Penn State Beaver (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($9,750 vs. $9,045).

Michigan State vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 80 points higher than at Penn State Beaver (1190).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

Michigan State vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Penn State Beaver? 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 Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Penn State Beaver graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,334 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($263 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Beaver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.