Michigan State University (MSU) vs Stanford
Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two prestigious universities: Michigan State University (MSU) and Stanford University. While both institutions offer world-class education, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. MSU, rooted in the heart of East Lansing, Michigan, welcomes a diverse student body, boasting a higher acceptance rate compared to Stanford's highly selective admissions process. Immerse yourself in MSU's vibrant campus, where popular majors like business, engineering, and social sciences thrive. On the other hand, Stanford, nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, attracts students seeking excellence in fields such as computer science, engineering, and business. Its rigorous academic standards are reflected in its lower acceptance rate. Explore the comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique offerings, student demographics, and graduation rates of these esteemed universities, and make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Michigan State University |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.3% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
|
SAT range | 1100 - 1320 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,630 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 42,150 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,225 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 21.9% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | 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
|
$78,898 |
Average net price | $8,738 | $14,402 |
Tuition |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
|
$55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
|
Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
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Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
58.0%
Average amount $12,822 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 18.7% | 58.5% |
International students | 8.3% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 17,463 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois California Ohio New York | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.1% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | 9.8% | 0.6% |
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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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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