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College Comparison

Michigan State vs University of Washington: 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 Washington

Seattle, WA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricMichigan StateUW Seattle
Acceptance Rate83.9%42.5%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1150–1350winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)26–31N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$43,372$41,997wins
Avg Net Price$20,751$13,485wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$67,253$78,466wins
Graduation Rate82.2%83.7%wins
Retention Rate91.4%94.9%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio17:1wins20:1
Total Enrollment40,243wins31,588

Verdict

Based on the data above, UW Seattle edges out Michigan State on 6 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.

Michigan State Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1150–1350
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 17:1
  • Total Enrollment: 40,243

UW Seattle Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 42.5%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $41,997
  • Avg Net Price: $13,485
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $78,466

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