Northwestern University vs. Michigan State University (MSU)

Two Rivalry Colleges in Big Ten Conference

  • Northwestern University is a private school while Michigan State University (MSU) is a public school.
  • Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL and MSU is located in East Lansing, MI.
  • 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).
Northwestern University

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Michigan State University

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#12 in National Universities
#2 in Illinois
Rankings#74 in National Universities
#3 in Michigan
Private, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Evanston, ILLocationEast Lansing, MI
Known asMSU
2 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered Degrees2 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
Tuition & Fees
$65,997Undergraduate$15,988 Michigan residents
$43,372 out-of-state
$53,871Graduate$21,148 Michigan residents
$41,224 out-of-state
$53,533Financial Aid$10,980
Admission
$75 undergraduate
$95 graduate
Application Fee$65 undergraduate
$65 graduate
9.24%Acceptance Rate71.55%
55.29%Yield32.35%
1,530 SAT, 34 ACTTest Scores1,260 SAT, 28 ACT
Student Population
23,161Total Students50,023
8,993Undergraduate39,201
14,168Graduate10,822
1,123Online Enrollment2,728
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
96%Graduation Rate81%
Transfer-out Rate10%
98%Retention Rate89%
$93,400Average Earning after Graduation$63,200
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,456)
$11,748 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 17,517)
$4,538 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
2,325 Full-time
340 Part-time
Number of Faculties2,996 Full-time
476 Part-time
9,894 Full-time
544 Part-time
Number of Staffs11,831 Full-time
799 Part-time
$163,111 for Faculties
$85,974 Part-time
Average Salary$108,281 for Faculties
$72,540 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023