Michigan State vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Michigan State vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than Michigan State ($18,825 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 10% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,310 vs. $12,564).
• Virginia Military Institute is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $4,588 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at VMI than at Michigan State University (about $8,796 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at Virginia Military Institute (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 144.3% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($23,821 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 110 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at VMI (3.65).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Michigan State vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Michigan State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $60,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.