Michigan State vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Michigan State vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Utah? 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 Utah than Michigan State ($16,583 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 5.6% lower than at University of Utah ($12,564 vs. $13,315).
• Michigan State University is 71.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $6,838 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.1% higher at Michigan State than at University of Utah (about $12,982 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of Utah (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,744 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 26% at Utah.

Michigan State vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $10,484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($155 vs. $263).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.