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College Comparison

Northeastern University 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

Northeastern University

Boston, MA

School

Michigan State

East Lansing, MI

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricNortheasternMichigan State
Acceptance Rate9.9%wins83.9%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1460–1550wins1150–1350
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins26–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$63,141$43,372wins
Avg Net Price$32,116$20,751wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$92,538wins$67,253
Graduation Rate90.4%wins82.2%
Retention Rate97.5%wins91.4%
Student–Faculty Ratio16:1wins17:1
Total Enrollment15,71940,243wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Northeastern 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.

Northeastern Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 9.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1550
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,538

Michigan State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $43,372
  • Avg Net Price: $20,751
  • Total Enrollment: 40,243

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