Michigan State University (MSU) vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed universities: Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Both institutions offer a world-class education, yet they possess distinct characteristics that may sway your decision. MSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while UIUC maintains a slightly higher graduation rate. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover further distinctions, including popular majors, faculty-to-student ratios, and average financial aid packages. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, ensuring a fulfilling and transformative college experience.
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![]() Michigan State University |
![]() University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
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Overview |
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Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Champaign, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
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% | 93.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.3% | 59.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | 1100 - 1320 | 1320 - 1510 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 29 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 24.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,630 | 47,593 |
Total number of admissions given out | 42,150 | 28,395 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,225 | 8,297 |
Yield rate | 21.9% | 29.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not 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
|
In state:
$31,636
Out of state:
$49,086
|
Average net price | $8,738 | $14,272 |
Tuition |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
|
In state:
$12,254
Out of state:
$29,704
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
|
$12,494 |
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 |
82.0%
Average amount $11,212 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
33.0%
Average amount $4,889 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
8.0%
Average amount $7,014 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
34,779
Men 54.1% Women 45.9% |
Graduate students |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
21,828
Men 55.8% Women 44.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 18.7% | 19.1% |
International students | 8.3% | 20.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 17,463 | 16,111 |
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 | Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 21:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.1% | 84.9% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 9.8% | N/A |
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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Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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