Louisville vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, 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 Louisville based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Louisville vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville than Michigan State ($19,785 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 0.1% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,564 vs. $12,576).
• Michigan State University is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $3,322 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Michigan State than at University of Louisville (about $14,360 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Michigan State University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($14,677 vs. $9,750).

Louisville vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 110 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Louisville vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $5,828 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($19,656 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($203 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.