UC-Cincinnati vs Michigan State University (MSU)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Cincinnati, Ohio, and East Lansing, Michigan, home to the esteemed University of Cincinnati-Main Campus and Michigan State University, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. The University of Cincinnati boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Michigan State, on the other hand, attracts a larger student body, providing a diverse and dynamic campus environment. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Michigan State University	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Overview
Location	East Lansing, Michigan	Cincinnati, Ohio
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%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	83.3%	84.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1100 - 1320	1150 - 1350
ACT range	23 - 29	24 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	48.0%	10.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	48.0%
Total number of applicants	50,630	25,775
Total number of admissions given out	42,150	21,865
Admitted students who chose to enroll	9,225	5,400
Yield rate	21.9%	24.7%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,734 Out of state: $55,546	In state: $30,420 Out of state: $45,754
Average net price	$8,738	$20,827
Tuition	In state: $14,750 Out of state: $40,562	In state: $10,920 Out of state: $26,254
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,408 Meal plan: $6,268	Room/dormitory: $7,306 Meal plan: $4,982
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	58.0% Average amount $12,822	71.0% Average amount $6,980
Students receiving federal student loan	34.0% Average amount $4,999	45.0% Average amount $5,293
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $18,093	9.0% Average amount $14,902

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	38,574 Men 48.4% Women 51.6%	28,968 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	11,085 Men 42.4% Women 57.6%	11,361 Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	18.7%	17.4%
International students	8.3%	8.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	17,463	6,820
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 Indiana Illinois Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Communication and Journalism Health Professions Engineering	Health Professions Engineering Business Visual & Performing Arts Education
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.1%	73.0%
Dropout rate	7.8%	9.9%
Transferred out	9.8%	15.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $126,500 Year 2: $123,886 Year 3: $132,790 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,863 Year 2: $98,481 Year 3: $108,546 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,313 Year 2: $89,435 Year 3: $101,511 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,361 Year 2: $96,183 Year 3: $100,492 Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $97,714 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $79,294 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,263 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,609 Year 2: $83,915 Year 3: $92,316 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,457 Year 2: $86,129 Year 3: $91,721 Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,178 Year 2: $83,915 Year 3: $89,761 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,462 Year 2: $80,133 Year 3: $84,869	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,262 Year 3: $120,730 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $116,456 Year 3: $105,967 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,527 Year 2: $94,013 Year 3: $100,779 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,273 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $93,490 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,329 Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $87,500 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,396 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $84,425 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,699 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,190 Year 2: $68,965 Year 3: $74,560 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,530 Year 2: $68,890 Year 3: $73,392 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,848 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $71,114

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Michigan State University (MSU)?

UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, an urban environment with a vibrant city center easily accessible from campus. MSU is situated in East Lansing, Michigan, offering a more traditional, sprawling suburban campus experience. MSU's campus is significantly larger, providing a more self-contained environment, while UC integrates more directly with the city.
How do the academic programs compare at UC and MSU?

Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs. MSU is particularly strong in areas like agriculture, education, and communication arts and sciences. UC is well-regarded for its engineering, design, and business programs, and is known for its co-op program, providing students with valuable work experience. Both universities have strong research programs and offer a comprehensive selection of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
What is the cost of attendance like at UC versus MSU?

Tuition and fees vary annually, so it's best to check the most current figures on each university's website. Generally, both universities offer competitive tuition rates for in-state residents. Out-of-state tuition will be higher at both institutions. Consider factors like financial aid, scholarships, and living expenses when comparing the overall cost of attendance.
How does student life differ at UC and MSU?

MSU offers a classic Big Ten college experience with a strong emphasis on athletics and a large, active student body. UC also has a vibrant student life, with a growing athletic program and a diverse student population. UC's location in Cincinnati provides easy access to city amenities, while MSU's campus is more self-contained with its own extensive recreational facilities and student activities.
What are the strengths of the co-op program at UC?

UC's co-op program is a significant strength, offering students in various fields the opportunity to gain practical work experience through paid internships. This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge, build professional networks, and often graduate with job offers. The co-op program is particularly strong in engineering, design, and business.
How do the athletic programs compare at UC and MSU?

MSU is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a long history of success in various sports, particularly football and basketball. UC competes in the Big 12 Conference and has a growing athletic program with competitive teams. Both universities offer a strong athletic culture and provide opportunities for students to participate in and support their teams.
What are the housing options like at UC and MSU?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments. MSU has a larger selection of on-campus housing due to its larger campus size. UC also provides a range of housing choices, and off-campus housing is readily available near both universities. Consider your preferences for living arrangements, such as proximity to classes, amenities, and social life, when making your decision.
What are the career services like at UC and MSU?

Both universities provide comprehensive career services to assist students with career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement. UC's career services often leverage the co-op program to connect students with potential employers. MSU's career services offer extensive resources and networking opportunities for students across various disciplines. Both universities host career fairs and provide access to online job boards.
How does the research environment differ at UC and MSU?

Both universities are major research institutions with significant research funding and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. MSU has a strong focus on agricultural and environmental research, while UC excels in areas like engineering, medicine, and design. Both universities offer state-of-the-art research facilities and encourage student involvement in research projects.
Which university is a better fit for me, UC or MSU?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and academic goals. If you prefer an urban environment with a strong co-op program, UC might be a good choice. If you're looking for a traditional Big Ten experience with a large campus and strong athletic programs, MSU could be a better fit. Consider factors like program offerings, campus culture, location, and cost when making your decision. Visiting both campuses, if possible, can also help you determine which environment you prefer.

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