Michigan State vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); The College of Wooster is in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; The College of Wooster 10:1.

Michigan State vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Wooster? 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 Wooster ($23,657 vs. $28,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 13.3% lower than at The College of Wooster ($12,564 vs. $14,490).
• The College of Wooster is 274.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $45,182 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at Wooster than at Michigan State University (about $17,798 more per year; $61,640.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Wooster students is 388.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($47,672 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Wooster (1340) is 70 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Wooster students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Michigan State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wooster students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Wooster (59.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Michigan State vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Wooster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.