Michigan State University (MSU) vs. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to MSU or Illinois?“
Michigan State University (MSU)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Michigan State University (MSU) | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $13,560 | $15,054 |
| Net Price | $16,788 | $18,143 |
| Average Financial Aid | $9,817 | $8,717 |
| Total Undergraduates | 38853 | 32170 |
| Average SAT Scores | 980 - 1260 | 1270 - 1470 |
| Acceptance Rate | 66 | 66 |
| Location | N/A | 601 E John Street |
| City Name | East Lansing | Champaign |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Michigan State University (MSU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between East Lansing and Champaign. MSU is in a East North Central and Illinois is in a East North Central - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Michigan State University (MSU) or University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Michigan State University (MSU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do MSU Dorms Compare to housing Options at Illinois?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. MSU charges for on-campus living, while Illinois charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
MSU and Illinois student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Michigan State University (MSU), % | Illinois,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 67.42 | 48.16 |
| Hispanic | 4.04 | 9.62 |
| Black | 6.94 | 5.510000000000001 |
| Foreign | 12.98 | 15.76 |
| Others | 8.6 | 20 |
How different is the Michigan State University (MSU) campus compared to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus?
The MSU campus is located in East Lansing, MI and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The Illinois campus is located in Champaign, IL and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
MSU provides $9,817 whereas Illinois provides an average of $8,717.
How does MSU academics compare to Illinois?
When analyzing academics between Michigan State University (MSU) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | MSU | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | 334 | 505 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 133 | 62 |
| Architecture and related services | 23 | 151 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 10 | 86 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 1147 | 596 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 170 | 268 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 778 | 1743 |
| Education | 239 | 223 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | 279 | N/A |
Which is better: Michigan State University (MSU) or University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between MSU and Illinois. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does MSU social life compare to Illinois?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how MSU social life differs from Illinois.
Check here.
Check here.