Michigan State vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Michigan State University and University of Dayton? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Michigan State University
University of Dayton

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Michigan State #241
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Michigan State -
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Michigan State Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Michigan State
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Michigan State 88%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Michigan State 1270
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Michigan State 28
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Michigan State A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Michigan State
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Michigan State 25/31
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Michigan State 1180/1360
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Michigan State
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Michigan State 77%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Michigan State 68%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Michigan State $263
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Michigan State 47%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Michigan State 53%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Michigan State Medium
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Michigan State No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Michigan State 67%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Michigan State 5%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Michigan State 7%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Michigan State 4%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Michigan State 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Michigan State 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Michigan State 3%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Michigan State 13%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Michigan State 1%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Michigan State 77%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Michigan State 19%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Michigan State Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Michigan State No
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Michigan State Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Michigan State Yes
  • University of Dayton No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Michigan State Yes
  • University of Dayton Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Michigan State vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or University of Dayton? 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 Michigan State University than University of Dayton ($23,657 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 25.2% lower than at University of Dayton ($12,564 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 198.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $32,682 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $16,458.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at University of Dayton than at Michigan State University (about $5,298 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $43,842.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at Michigan State University (95% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 242.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($33,418 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Michigan State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 20 points higher than at Michigan State (1270).
  • Incoming Michigan State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at University of Dayton (28).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Michigan State vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($263 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.