Michigan State vs. SAU

Should I go to Michigan State University or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan State or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Michigan State University vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Michigan State University Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Michigan State University
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Overview

Michigan State SAU
Location East Lansing, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Small Suburban
Enrollment 50,023 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #240 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website msu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan State SAU
Tuition (In State) $15,192 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $41,778 $31,020
Room & Board $10,990 $10,652
Avg Net Price $22,803 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $8,684 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 99%

Admission

Michigan State SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,341 2,312
Admitted 46,914 1,094
Acceptance Rate 88% 47.3%
Enrolled % 21% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/31 20/26
SAT Range 1160/1360 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Michigan State SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Michigan State SAU
Graduation Rate 77% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,484 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $263 $248

Diversity

Michigan State SAU
% Men 47% 23%
% Women 53% 77%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 77%
% Black 7% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 13% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

Michigan State SAU
% In-State 71% 83%
% Out-of-State 21% 13%

Campus

Michigan State SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 2,396 students)

Michigan State vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 104.2% more expensive to attend than Michigan State for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $15,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.7% higher at Michigan State than Spring Arbor University ($41,778.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Michigan State ($22,375 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 3.2% lower than costs at Michigan State University ($10,652 vs. $10,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Michigan State University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 138.1% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($20,677 vs. $8,684)

Michigan State vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or Michigan State .

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 86 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at SAU (23)
  • 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 (88%) than SAU (47.3%)

Michigan State vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan State or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and Michigan State.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Spring Arbor University (77% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $17,400 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $1,441 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($24,043 vs. $25,484)
  • SAU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans 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/