Michigan State vs. Xavier

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Xavier based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 5,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Michigan State vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Xavier? 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 Michigan State University than Xavier ($23,657 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 9.7% lower than at Xavier University ($12,564 vs. $13,920).
• Xavier University is 207.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $34,182 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Xavier than at Michigan State University (about $6,798 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 229.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($32,088 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Xavier Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 60 points higher than at Xavier (1210).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Xavier).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Xavier University 1103/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Xavier University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Xavier - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Xavier (3.68).
• Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

Michigan State vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Xavier? 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).

• The graduation rate at Michigan State is the same as at Xavier University (77% vs. 77%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Xavier graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $54,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Xavier graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Xavier graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Xavier 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.