Michigan State vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 30,851 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is in Norman, OK (Small Suburban setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 18:1.

Michigan State vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus than Michigan State ($18,574 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 7.8% lower than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ($12,564 vs. $13,630).
• Michigan State University is 68% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $6,661 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $9,797.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.1% higher at Michigan State than at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (about $16,465 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $27,377.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oklahoma Norman Campus students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($11,356 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. OU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 30 points higher than at OU (1240).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of Oklahoma Norman Campus 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at OU (3.66).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than OU (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 29.3% at OU.

Michigan State vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and OU? 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus's (67%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates have a $5,484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($206 vs. $263).
• More OU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.