Michigan State vs. Oberlin

Should I go to Michigan State University or Oberlin College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan State or Oberlin 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 Kenyon GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Denison Oakland UM-Dearborn
Michigan State University vs. Oberlin College comparison
Michigan State University Oberlin College College 3 College 4
Michigan State University Oberlin College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Michigan State Oberlin
Location East Lansing, MI Oberlin, OH
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 50,023 2,992
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #240 #148
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msu.edu oberlin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan State Oberlin
Tuition (In State) $15,192 $61,106
Tuition (Out of State) $41,778 $61,106
Room & Board $10,990 $18,390
Avg Net Price $22,803 $46,462
Avg Grant Aid $8,684 $35,040
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 98%

Admission

Michigan State Oberlin
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,341 11,066
Admitted 46,914 3,859
Acceptance Rate 88% 34.9%
Enrolled % 21% 22.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.67
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 25/31 30/33
SAT Range 1160/1360 1360/1530
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 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Michigan State Oberlin
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Michigan State Oberlin
Graduation Rate 77% 88%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,000 $43,900
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,484 $26,579
Median Loan Payment $263 $274

Diversity

Michigan State Oberlin
% Men 47% 41%
% Women 53% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 68%
% Black 7% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 13% 8%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Michigan State Oberlin
% In-State 71% 6%
% Out-of-State 21% 84%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 2,992 students)

Michigan State vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Oberlin?

  • Oberlin College is 302.2% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($61,106.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.3% higher at Oberlin than Michigan State University ($61,106.00 vs. $41,778.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Michigan State University than Oberlin ($22,803 vs. $46,462)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 67.3% lower than costs at Oberlin College ($10,990 vs. $18,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Oberlin College than Michigan State University (98% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 303.5% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($35,040 vs. $8,684)

Michigan State vs. Oberlin Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Oberlin College (1357) is 198 points higher than at Michigan State (1159)
  • Incoming Oberlin students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Michigan State (26)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Oberlin (3.67)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Oberlin (34.9%)

Michigan State vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan State or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin and Michigan State.

  • The graduation rate at Oberlin is higher than Michigan State University (88% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $16,100 more per year than Oberlin graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $43,900)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $1,095 lower median federal student loan debt than Oberlin graduates. ($25,484 vs. $26,579)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Oberlin graduates. ($263 vs. $274)
  • More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 68%)

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