Earlham vs. Michigan State

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

Earlham College
Michigan State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Earlham (73.1% admitted vs 84.8%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Michigan State. Average net price is $23,657 vs $27,107 at Earlham.
  • Graduation: Earlham 66% vs Michigan State 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Earlham $39,100 vs Michigan State $60,000 (median).
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Key differences

Earlham College Michigan State University
Acceptance rate
Earlham more selective
Earlham73.1%
Michigan State84.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Michigan State higher
Earlham1110-1290
Michigan State1180-1360
Average net price
Michigan State $3,450 less
Earlham$27,107
Michigan State$23,657
In-state tuition
Michigan State $37,472 less
Earlham$53,930
Michigan State$16,458
Out-of-state tuition
Michigan State $10,088 less
Earlham$53,930
Michigan State$43,842
Graduation rate
Michigan State +11 pts
Earlham66%
Michigan State77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Michigan State +$20,900
Earlham$39,100
Michigan State$60,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Earlham 2,075
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Admitted
  • Earlham 1,517
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Acceptance rate
  • Earlham 73.1%
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Earlham 13.9%
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Earlham 1200
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Earlham 28
  • Michigan State 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Earlham 3.67
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • Earlham A-
  • Michigan State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Earlham Difficult
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Earlham Low
  • Michigan State
  • SAT range
  • Earlham 1110-1290
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • Earlham 24-33
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Earlham Test optional
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Earlham Mar 1, 2027
  • Michigan State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Earlham $53,930
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Earlham $53,930
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Room & board
  • Earlham $13,985
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Average net price
  • Earlham $27,107
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Average grant aid
  • Earlham $40,618
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Earlham 100%
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Earlham 66%
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Earlham $39,100
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Earlham 75%
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Earlham $26,000
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Median loan payment
  • Earlham $268
  • Michigan State $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Earlham 7:1
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Earlham
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • Earlham Richmond, IN
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Setting
  • Earlham Distant Town
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Earlham 753
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Type
  • Earlham Private 4 Year
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Earlham
  • Michigan State #241

Comparable Facts

Compare Earlham College in Richmond, 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 Earlham based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 753 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Earlham College is located in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Earlham College 7:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 10.2% lower than at Earlham College ($12,564 vs. $13,985).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Earlham than at Michigan State University (about $10,088 more per year; $53,930 vs. $43,842).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 316.6% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($40,618 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Earlham 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 Earlham and Michigan State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Michigan State average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Earlham (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Earlham vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($263 vs. $268).
  • More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation (75% 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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