Michigan State University (MSU) vs Vanderbilt
Michigan State University and Vanderbilt University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Michigan State, a public research university, boasts a sprawling campus in East Lansing, Michigan, while Vanderbilt, a private research university, resides in the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee. With acceptance rates of 70% and 11%, respectively, these universities cater to different levels of academic competitiveness. Michigan State's diverse student body comprises over 50,000 undergraduates, while Vanderbilt's more intimate community consists of approximately 13,000 undergraduates. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Michigan State renowned for its programs in engineering, business, and agriculture, and Vanderbilt excelling in fields such as medicine, law, and music. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Michigan State University |
![]() Vanderbilt University |
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Overview |
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Location | East Lansing, Michigan | Nashville, Tennessee |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 97.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.3% | 7.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1100 - 1320 | 1480 - 1570 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 48.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 32.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,630 | 47,152 |
Total number of admissions given out | 42,150 | 3,368 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 9,225 | 1,626 |
Yield rate | 21.9% | 48.3% |
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
|
$79,538 |
Average net price | $8,738 | $27,553 |
Tuition |
In state:
$14,750
Out of state:
$40,562
|
$54,840 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,408
Meal plan:
$6,268
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Room/dormitory:
$12,000
Meal plan:
$6,376
|
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 |
64.0%
Average amount $49,730 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,999 |
10.0%
Average amount $4,979 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $18,093 |
2.0%
Average amount $27,798 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6% |
7,111
Men 48.9% Women 51.1% |
Graduate students |
11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
6,685
Men 39.5% Women 60.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 18.7% | 89.5% |
International students | 8.3% | 11.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 17,463 | 5,598 |
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 | Tennessee California New York Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.1% | 93.4% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 6.4% |
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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Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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