Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Lake Superior State University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lake Superior State University 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Oakland UM-Dearborn UIC Purdue
Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Lake Superior State University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Lake Superior State University Michigan State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
Location Sault Ste Marie, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,655 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #745 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lssu.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $13,440 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $13,440 $41,778
Room & Board $11,016 $10,990
Avg Net Price $14,336 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $10,816 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 92%

Admission

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,408 53,341
Admitted 1,852 46,914
Acceptance Rate 76.9% 88%
Enrolled % 15.1% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.72
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 25/31
SAT Range 1000/1225 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
Graduation Rate 35% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $240 $263

Diversity

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 80% 67%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 8% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 7% 13%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 Lake Superior State University Michigan State
% In-State 83% 71%
% Out-of-State 8% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Lake Superior State University based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 1,655 students)

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lake Superior State University or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 13% more expensive to attend than Lake Superior State University for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 210.8% higher at Michigan State than Lake Superior State University ($41,778.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Superior State University than Michigan State ($14,336 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 0.2% lower than costs at Lake Superior State University ($10,990 vs. $11,016)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than Lake Superior State University (92% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Superior State University students is 24.6% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($10,816 vs. $8,684)

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 132 points higher than at Lake Superior State University (1027)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Lake Superior State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Lake Superior State University (76.9%)

Lake Superior State University vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lake Superior State University 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 Lake Superior State University.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Lake Superior State University (77% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $19,700 more per year than Lake Superior State University graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $40,300)
  • Lake Superior State University students graduate with a $2,234 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,484)
  • Lake Superior State University graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($240 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 57%)

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