Wheaton College vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL 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 Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Michigan State University than Wheaton College ($23,657 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 3.4% lower than at Wheaton College ($12,564 vs. $13,010).
• Wheaton College is 176.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $29,088 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Wheaton College than at Michigan State University (about $1,704 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $43,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Michigan State University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 187% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($27,987 vs. $9,750).

Wheaton College vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 100 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Michigan State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Wheaton College vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Michigan State University's (77%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $2,984 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($232 vs. $263).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.