DePauw vs. Michigan State

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

DePauw University
Michigan State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: DePauw (57.2% admitted vs 84.8%). Typical SAT 1310 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Michigan State. Average net price is $23,657 vs $31,411 at DePauw.
  • Graduation: DePauw 85% vs Michigan State 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DePauw $61,000 vs Michigan State $60,000 (median).
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Key differences

DePauw University Michigan State University
Acceptance rate
DePauw more selective
DePauw57.2%
Michigan State84.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
DePauw higher
DePauw1200-1410
Michigan State1180-1360
Average net price
Michigan State $7,754 less
DePauw$31,411
Michigan State$23,657
In-state tuition
Michigan State $42,612 less
DePauw$59,070
Michigan State$16,458
Out-of-state tuition
Michigan State $15,228 less
DePauw$59,070
Michigan State$43,842
Graduation rate
DePauw +8 pts
DePauw85%
Michigan State77%
Median earnings (10 years)
DePauw +$1,000
DePauw$61,000
Michigan State$60,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DePauw 6,683
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Admitted
  • DePauw 3,822
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Acceptance rate
  • DePauw 57.2%
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DePauw 13.2%
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DePauw 1310
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • DePauw 30
  • Michigan State 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • DePauw 3.97
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • DePauw A
  • Michigan State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DePauw Very High
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • DePauw Low
  • Michigan State
  • SAT range
  • DePauw 1200-1410
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • DePauw 28-32
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • DePauw Test optional
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DePauw Feb 1, 2027
  • Michigan State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Room & board
  • DePauw $15,330
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Average net price
  • DePauw $31,411
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Average grant aid
  • DePauw $42,909
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DePauw 99%
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • DePauw 85%
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DePauw $61,000
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • DePauw 80%
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DePauw $25,588
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Median loan payment
  • DePauw $264
  • Michigan State $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DePauw 10:1
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • DePauw
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • DePauw Greencastle, IN
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Setting
  • DePauw Distant Town
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • DePauw 1,917
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Type
  • DePauw Private 4 Year
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DePauw #99
  • Michigan State #241

Comparable Facts

Compare DePauw University in Greencastle, 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 DePauw based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,917 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • DePauw University is located in Greencastle, IN (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • DePauw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: DePauw University 10:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 18% lower than at DePauw University ($12,564 vs. $15,330).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 34.7% higher at DePauw than at Michigan State University (about $15,228 more per year; $59,070 vs. $43,842).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University than at Michigan State University (99% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 340.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($42,909 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at DePauw than at Michigan State (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both DePauw and Michigan State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: DePauw Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DePauw average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Michigan State (3.72).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at DePauw vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $104 lower median loan debt than DePauw graduates ($25,484 vs. $25,588).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePauw graduates ($263 vs. $264).
  • More DePauw graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation (80% 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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