Michigan State vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

Michigan State vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota Duluth than Michigan State ($20,128 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 11.6% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,110 vs. $12,564).
• Michigan State University is 12.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $1,848 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.8% higher at Michigan State than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $23,712 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Michigan State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 35.7% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($9,750 vs. $7,186).

Michigan State vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is the same as at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Michigan State vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Duluth graduates have a $484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.