Butler vs. Michigan State

Butler University and Michigan State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Butler University
Michigan State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Michigan State (84.8% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1270 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Michigan State. Average net price is $23,657 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Michigan State 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Michigan State $60,000 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Michigan State University
Acceptance rate
Michigan State more selective
Butler85.1%
Michigan State84.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Michigan State higher
Butler1160-1350
Michigan State1180-1360
Average net price
Michigan State $14,781 less
Butler$38,438
Michigan State$23,657
In-state tuition
Michigan State $31,102 less
Butler$47,560
Michigan State$16,458
Out-of-state tuition
Michigan State $3,718 less
Butler$47,560
Michigan State$43,842
Graduation rate
Michigan State +5 pts
Butler72%
Michigan State77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$8,400
Butler$68,400
Michigan State$60,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Michigan State 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Michigan State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Michigan State
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Michigan State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Michigan State $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Michigan State #241

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Michigan State University is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 23.5% lower than at Butler University ($12,564 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Butler than at Michigan State University (about $3,718 more per year; $47,560 vs. $43,842).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Michigan State University (97% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 185% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($27,790 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Butler students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Michigan State (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Michigan State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Michigan State (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($263 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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