WSU vs. Michigan State

Should I go to Wichita State University or Michigan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSU or Michigan State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

Michigan WSU GVSU Michigan Tech IU Penn State CMU ISU Oakland UM-Dearborn University of Missouri-Kansas City UIC
Wichita State University vs. Michigan State University comparison
Wichita State University Michigan State University College 3 College 4
Wichita State University Michigan State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WSU Michigan State
Location Wichita, KS East Lansing, MI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 16,216 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #700 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wichita.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WSU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $6,848 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $16,208 $41,778
Room & Board $12,610 $10,990
Avg Net Price $13,553 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $7,110 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 79% 92%

Admission

WSU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,899 53,341
Admitted 8,441 46,914
Acceptance Rate 94.9% 88%
Enrolled % 21.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 25/31
SAT Range 953/1260 1160/1360
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

WSU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

WSU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 43% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,800 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $211 $263

Diversity

WSU Michigan State
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 63% 67%
% Black 6% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 6% 13%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

WSU Michigan State
% In-State 76% 71%
% Out-of-State 20% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than WSU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 16,216 students)

WSU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 121.8% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $6,848.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 157.8% higher at Michigan State than Wichita State University ($41,778.00 vs. $16,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wichita State University than Michigan State ($13,553 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 14.7% lower than costs at Wichita State University ($10,990 vs. $12,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Michigan State University than Wichita State University (92% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan State University students is 22.1% larger than aid received Wichita State University ($8,684 vs. $7,110)

WSU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 70 points higher than at WSU (1089)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at WSU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WSU (3.48)
  • WSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than Michigan State (88%)

WSU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and WSU.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Wichita State University (77% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $16,200 more per year than WSU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $43,800)
  • Wichita State University students graduate with a $4,984 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,484)
  • WSU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($211 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/