Michigan State vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Michigan State vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Michigan State ($19,814 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 30.5% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($12,564 vs. $18,080).
• Michigan State University is 76.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $7,155 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.9% higher at Michigan State than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $21,579 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Michigan State University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($9,750 vs. $8,699).

Michigan State vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY-ESF and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 50 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Michigan State vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $5,734 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($204 vs. $263).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.