ISU vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA 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 ISU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa 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: Iowa State University 18:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

ISU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than Michigan State ($17,779 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 14% lower than at Michigan State University ($10,808 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $5,671 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at Michigan State than at Iowa State University (about $14,961 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at Iowa State University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($10,791 vs. $9,750).

ISU vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Michigan State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

ISU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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 Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,616 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($246 vs. $263).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.