Michigan State vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Michigan State vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Michigan State ($21,067 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 8.9% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,440 vs. $12,564).
• Spring Arbor University is 106.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $17,556 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.9% higher at Michigan State than at Spring Arbor University (about $9,828 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 144.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($23,877 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or SAU? 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 SAU and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 140 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at SAU (3.61).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Michigan State vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $1,441 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($248 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.