CSU vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

CSU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than Michigan State ($10,441 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 8.1% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,550 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $3,704 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 243.8% higher at Michigan State than at Chicago State University (about $31,088 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 86.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($18,194 vs. $9,750).

CSU vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 410 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

CSU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $5,766 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,484 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($263 vs. $323).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 25%)

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.