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College Comparison

UC Berkeley vs Michigan State: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

School

Michigan State

East Lansing, MI

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC BerkeleyMichigan State
Acceptance Rate11.7%wins83.9%
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1150–1350wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A26–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$45,627$43,372wins
Avg Net Price$14,979wins$20,751
Median Earnings (10 yr)$92,446wins$67,253
Graduation Rate92.9%wins82.2%
Retention Rate96.8%wins91.4%
Student–Faculty Ratio18:117:1wins
Total Enrollment33,07340,243wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC Berkeley edges out Michigan State on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UC Berkeley Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 11.7%
  • Avg Net Price: $14,979
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,446
  • Graduation Rate: 92.9%

Michigan State Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1150–1350
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $43,372
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 17:1
  • Total Enrollment: 40,243

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