Michigan State vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Michigan State vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Michigan State ($11,546 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 1.8% lower than at Michigan State University ($12,340 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 27.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $3,528 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Michigan State than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $13,392 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Michigan State University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($13,512 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 220 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Michigan State vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 48%)

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.