Valpo vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN 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 Valpo based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Valpo vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valparaiso University than Michigan State ($21,766 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 7.7% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,564 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 194.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $31,992 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Valpo than at Michigan State University (about $4,608 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 285.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($37,548 vs. $9,750).

Valpo vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 100 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Valpo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Valpo vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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 Valparaiso University's (71%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Valpo graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.