Michigan State vs. Utah

Michigan State University and University of Utah side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Michigan State University
University of Utah

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Michigan State (84.8% admitted vs 86%). Typical SAT 1270 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: Utah. Average net price is $16,583 vs $23,657 at Michigan State.
  • Graduation: Michigan State 77% vs Utah 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Michigan State $60,000 vs Utah $61,300 (median).
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Key differences

Michigan State University University of Utah
Acceptance rate
Michigan State more selective
Michigan State84.8%
Utah86%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Utah higher
Michigan State1180-1360
Utah1190-1380
Average net price
Utah $7,074 less
Michigan State$23,657
Utah$16,583
In-state tuition
Utah $6,838 less
Michigan State$16,458
Utah$9,620
Out-of-state tuition
Utah $12,982 less
Michigan State$43,842
Utah$30,860
Graduation rate
Michigan State +22 pts
Michigan State77%
Utah55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Utah +$1,300
Michigan State$60,000
Utah$61,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Utah 26,822
  • Admitted
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Utah 23,062
  • Acceptance rate
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Utah 86%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Utah 26%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Utah 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Michigan State 28
  • Utah 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Utah 3.64
  • Typical high school grades
  • Michigan State A-
  • Utah A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Utah Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Michigan State
  • Utah
  • SAT range
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • Utah 1190-1380
  • ACT range
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Utah 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Utah Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Michigan State
  • Utah Apr 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Utah $9,620
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Utah $30,860
  • Room & board
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Utah $13,315
  • Average net price
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Utah $16,583
  • Average grant aid
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • Utah $12,744
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Utah 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Utah 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Utah $61,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Utah 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Utah $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Michigan State $263
  • Utah $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Utah 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Utah
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Utah Salt Lake City, UT
  • Setting
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Utah Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Utah 36,894
  • Type
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • Utah Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Michigan State #241
  • Utah #258

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Michigan State University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 36,894 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 5.6% lower than at University of Utah ($12,564 vs. $13,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.1% higher at Michigan State than at University of Utah (about $12,982 more per year; $43,842 vs. $30,860).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of Utah (88% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($12,744 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Michigan State than at Utah (28 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Michigan State and Utah.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Michigan State average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Utah (3.64).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 26% at Utah.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $10,484 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,484).
  • Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($155 vs. $263).
  • More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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