Michigan State University (MSU) vs Brown University
Michigan State University and Brown University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Michigan State, a public research university, boasts a sprawling campus, a diverse student body, and a wide range of academic programs, including highly ranked engineering and business schools. Brown, an Ivy League private research university, is known for its liberal arts focus, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching. With acceptance rates of 70% and 8% respectively, these universities cater to different applicant pools. While Michigan State's larger student body provides a vibrant campus life, Brown's intimate setting fosters close-knit communities. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() Michigan State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | East Lansing, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 92.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | 1100 - 1320 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 48.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 50,630 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 42,150 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 9,225 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 21.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 |
In state:
$29,734
Out of state:
$55,546
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Average net price | $25,028 | $8,738 |
Tuition | $60,944 |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
58.0%
Average amount $12,822 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 18.7% |
International students | 18.6% | 8.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 17,463 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | Michigan Illinois California Ohio New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 82.1% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 9.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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