Arkansas vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Arkansas based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 33,610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Arkansas vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas or Michigan State? 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 Arkansas than Michigan State ($18,408 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 11.8% lower than at University of Arkansas ($12,564 vs. $14,244).
• Michigan State University is 62.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $6,354 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.3% higher at Michigan State than at University of Arkansas (about $13,876 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of Arkansas (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($9,750 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 140 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Arkansas vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas and Michigan State? 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 Arkansas's (59%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas graduates have a $3,984 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($222 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 66%)

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.