- Michigan State University (MSU) is a public school while Northwestern University is a private school.
- MSU is located in East Lansing, MI and Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL.
- Northwestern University has more expensive tuition of $65,997 than MSU ($43,372).
- Northwestern University has tighter acceptance rate of 9.24% than MSU (71.55%).
- Northwestern University has higher SAT scores of 1,530 than MSU (1,260).
- MSU is larger with 50,023 students than Northwestern University (23,161 students).
Michigan State University View More Rivals | Northwestern University View More Rivals | |
| #74 in National Universities #3 in Michigan | Rankings | #12 in National Universities #2 in Illinois |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Private, 4-years |
| East Lansing, MI | Location | Evanston, IL |
MSU| Known as | | |
| 2 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | 2 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (very high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (very high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $15,988 Michigan residents $43,372 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $65,997 |
| $21,148 Michigan residents $41,224 out-of-state | Graduate | $53,871 |
| $10,980 | Financial Aid | $53,533 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $75 undergraduate $95 graduate |
| 71.55% | Acceptance Rate | 9.24% |
| 32.35% | Yield | 55.29% |
| 1,260 SAT, 28 ACT | Test Scores | 1,530 SAT, 34 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 50,023 | Total Students | 23,161 |
| 39,201 | Undergraduate | 8,993 |
| 10,822 | Graduate | 14,168 |
| 2,728 | Online Enrollment | 1,123 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 81% | Graduation Rate | 96% |
| 10% | Transfer-out Rate | |
| 89% | Retention Rate | 98% |
| $63,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $93,400 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 17,517) $4,538 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,456) $11,748 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 17 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 6 to 1 |
| 2,996 Full-time 476 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 2,325 Full-time 340 Part-time |
| 11,831 Full-time 799 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 9,894 Full-time 544 Part-time |
| $108,281 for Faculties $72,540 Part-time | Average Salary | $163,111 for Faculties $85,974 Part-time |