OU-Athens vs Michigan State University (MSU)
Ohio University-Main Campus and Michigan State University, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Ohio University boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. In contrast, Michigan State University has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. While Ohio University's student body is predominantly composed of Ohio residents, Michigan State University attracts a more diverse student population from across the nation and the globe. Both universities offer a wide array of undergraduate programs, with popular majors such as Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences featuring prominently at both institutions. However, Michigan State University offers a slightly higher graduation rate, suggesting that students may find it easier to complete their degrees within the expected timeframe. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these and other key differences between Ohio University-Main Campus and Michigan State University.
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![]() Michigan State University |
![]() Ohio University-Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Athens, Ohio |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
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% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.3% | 88.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1100 - 1320 | 1070 - 1290 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 22 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 49.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,630 | 21,733 |
Total number of admissions given out | 42,150 | 19,245 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,225 | 3,664 |
Yield rate | 21.9% | 19.0% |
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 | 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:
$28,616
Out of state:
$38,586
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Average net price | $8,738 | $20,496 |
Tuition |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
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In state:
$12,840
Out of state:
$22,810
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
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Room/dormitory:
$7,308
Meal plan:
$6,918
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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 |
99.0%
Average amount $8,756 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
49.0%
Average amount $4,890 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
8.0%
Average amount $10,581 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
18,399
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
Graduate students |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
6,398
Men 42.2% Women 57.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 18.7% | 15.7% |
International students | 8.3% | 3.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 17,463 | 7,173 |
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 | Ohio Pennsylvania Illinois New York West Virginia |
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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% | 66.9% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 4.1% |
Transferred out | 9.8% | 27.6% |
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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Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees)
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