Kentucky vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY 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 Kentucky based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 34,709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Kentucky 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 Kentucky 18:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Kentucky vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky than Michigan State ($21,958 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 21.6% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,564 vs. $16,016).
• Michigan State University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $2,956 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Michigan State than at University of Kentucky (about $9,702 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Michigan State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 32.3% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,898 vs. $9,750).

Kentucky vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 90 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Kentucky vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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 Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $2,734 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($235 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 62%)

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.