Michigan State vs. Viterbo

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Viterbo based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Viterbo University is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Viterbo University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Viterbo University 10:1.

Michigan State vs. Viterbo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Viterbo? 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 Viterbo University than Michigan State ($21,933 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Viterbo University are 9.9% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,320 vs. $12,564).
• Viterbo University is 108.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $17,792 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28% higher at Michigan State than at Viterbo University (about $9,592 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $34,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Viterbo University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Viterbo University students is 141.8% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($23,573 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Viterbo Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 60 points higher than at Viterbo (1210).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Viterbo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Viterbo University 1040/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Viterbo University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Viterbo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Viterbo (3.5).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Viterbo (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 15.9% at Viterbo.

Michigan State vs. Viterbo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Viterbo? 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 Viterbo University's (49%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Viterbo graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Viterbo graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Viterbo graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Viterbo 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.