Iowa vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Michigan State? 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 Iowa than Michigan State ($21,765 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.8% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,564 vs. $12,920).
• Michigan State University is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $5,175 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at Michigan State than at University of Iowa (about $10,471 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan State University than at University of Iowa (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($9,865 vs. $9,750).

Iowa vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Michigan State (3.72).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Iowa vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Michigan State? 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 Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,868 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($223 vs. $263).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan State students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.