Michigan State University (MSU) vs U of A
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of East Lansing, Michigan, or Tucson, Arizona, home to Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Arizona (UA), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your college experience. MSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while UA's lower student-to-faculty ratio ensures more personalized attention. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Michigan State University |
![]() University of Arizona |
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Overview |
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Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Tucson, Arizona |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.3% | 87.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1100 - 1320 | 1120 - 1370 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 13.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,630 | 48,065 |
Total number of admissions given out | 42,150 | 41,946 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,225 | 8,436 |
Yield rate | 21.9% | 20.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,734
Out of state:
$55,546
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In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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Average net price | $8,738 | $17,242 |
Tuition |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
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In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
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Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
58.0%
Average amount $12,822 |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 18.7% | 48.8% |
International students | 8.3% | 6.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 17,463 | 7,036 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois California Ohio New York | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.1% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 14.3% |
Transferred out | 9.8% | 19.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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