Oakland University (OU) vs Michigan State University (MSU)

Oakland University and Michigan State University, both esteemed institutions in Michigan, offer distinct educational experiences. Oakland University, nestled in Rochester, boasts a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community feel. With an acceptance rate of 84%, it provides a welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Michigan State University, situated in East Lansing, stands as a Big Ten powerhouse with a larger student population, offering a vibrant and diverse campus life. Its acceptance rate of 70% reflects its competitive admissions process. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Oakland University is renowned for its strong nursing and business programs, while Michigan State University shines in engineering, agriculture, and hospitality management. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including their graduation rates, student demographics, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Michigan State University logo

Michigan State University

Oakland University logo

Oakland University

Overview

Location East Lansing, Michigan Rochester Hills, Michigan
Campus setting City: Small Suburb: 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% 73.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 83.3% 92.1%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $65

Graduate: $65
$45
SAT range 1100 - 1320 970 - 1230
ACT range 23 - 29 21 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 48.0% 60.0%
Students submitting ACT score 16.0% 10.0%
Total number of applicants 50,630 10,645
Total number of admissions given out 42,150 9,803
Admitted students who chose to enroll 9,225 2,025
Yield rate 21.9% 20.7%
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 Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $29,734

Out of state: $55,546
In state: $27,222

Out of state: $37,996
Average net price $8,738 $14,316
Tuition
In state: $14,750

Out of state: $40,562
In state: $13,934

Out of state: $24,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,408

Meal plan: $6,268
$10,639
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

58.0%
Average amount $12,822
90.0%
Average amount $10,413
Students receiving federal student loan 34.0%
Average amount $4,999
40.0%
Average amount $4,896
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $18,093
3.0%
Average amount $11,832

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 38,574
Men 48.4% Women 51.6%
13,771
Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students 11,085
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
3,399
Men 43.2% Women 56.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 18.7% 2.5%
International students 8.3% 4.6%
Campus local/setting City: Small Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 17,463 3,330
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 Michigan Ohio Texas Florida Wisconsin

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 82.1% 56.1%
Dropout rate 7.8% 30.4%
Transferred out 9.8% 8.6%
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
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $103,063
  • Year 2: $104,510
  • Year 3: $111,195
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $99,486
  • Year 2: $103,078
  • Year 3: $104,636
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,963
  • Year 2: $96,829
  • Year 3: $102,429
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,366
  • Year 2: $89,412
  • Year 3: $100,527
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,453
  • Year 2: $80,858
  • Year 3: $88,542
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,313
  • Year 2: $78,488
  • Year 3: $85,248
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,319
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $82,466
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,808
  • Year 2: $76,962
  • Year 3: $82,235
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,652
  • Year 2: $68,305
  • Year 3: $78,387
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,648
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $75,775

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