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College Comparison

Michigan State vs University of Pittsburgh: Which is Better?

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

School

Michigan State

East Lansing, MI

School

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricMichigan StatePitt
Acceptance Rate83.9%49.7%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1150–13501270–1450wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)26–3129–33wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$43,372$39,890wins
Avg Net Price$20,751wins$30,074
Median Earnings (10 yr)$67,253wins$66,125
Graduation Rate82.2%84.3%wins
Retention Rate91.4%92.4%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio17:113:1wins
Total Enrollment40,243wins20,189

Verdict

Based on the data above, Pitt edges out Michigan State on 7 of 10 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.

Michigan State Strengths

  • Avg Net Price: $20,751
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $67,253
  • Total Enrollment: 40,243

Pitt Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 49.7%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1270–1450
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 29–33
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $39,890

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