Michigan vs. Michigan State

Should I go to University of Michigan or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan or Michigan State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University comparison
University of Michigan Michigan State University College 3 College 4
University of Michigan Michigan State University
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Overview

Michigan Michigan State
Location Ann Arbor, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 51,225 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #50 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umich.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $16,404 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $55,002 $41,778
Room & Board $13,171 $10,990
Avg Net Price $19,318 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $15,121 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 67% 92%

Admission

Michigan Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 84,289 53,341
Admitted 14,914 46,914
Acceptance Rate 17.7% 88%
Enrolled % 47.3% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 31/34 25/31
SAT Range 1350/1530 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Michigan Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Michigan Michigan State
Graduation Rate 90% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $74,400 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,103 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $207 $263

Diversity

Michigan Michigan State
% Men 48% 47%
% Women 52% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 67%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 13%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Michigan Michigan State
% In-State 51% 71%
% Out-of-State 44% 21%

Campus

Michigan Michigan State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Michigan is larger than than Michigan State based on total student enrollment (51,225 students vs. 50,023 students)

Michigan vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan or Michigan State?

  • University of Michigan is 8% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($16,404.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.7% higher at Michigan than Michigan State University ($55,002.00 vs. $41,778.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Michigan than Michigan State ($19,318 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 19.8% lower than costs at University of Michigan ($10,990 vs. $13,171)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than University of Michigan (92% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan students is 74.1% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($15,121 vs. $8,684)

Michigan vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan or Michigan State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Michigan State or Michigan .

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan (1384) is 225 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Michigan State (3.72)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Michigan (17.7%)

Michigan vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan or Michigan State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Michigan State and Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan is higher than Michigan State University (90% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan earn on average $14,400 more per year than Michigan State graduates after ten years. ($74,400 vs. $60,000)
  • University of Michigan students graduate with a $5,381 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($20,103 vs. $25,484)
  • Michigan graduates are paying $56 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($207 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/