Michigan State vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Michigan State vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or UM-Dearborn? 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 University of Michigan Dearborn than Michigan State ($11,521 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 10.5% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,241 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM-Dearborn (about $818 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $15,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Michigan State than at University of Michigan Dearborn (about $10,946 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $32,896.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,124 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 150 points higher than at UM-Dearborn (1120).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UM-Dearborn).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UM-Dearborn (3.66).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

Michigan State vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and UM-Dearborn? 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 University of Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UM-Dearborn graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $266 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($25,484 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($263 vs. $266).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 46%)

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.