Michigan State University vs Eastern Michigan University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Michigan State University holds a 37-point ROI advantage over Eastern Michigan University, scoring 79/100 versus 42/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Eastern Michigan University comes in at $15,407 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,680 at Michigan State University - a difference of $4,273 annually, or roughly $17,092 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Michigan State University graduates earn a median of $67,253 compared to $51,793 at Eastern Michigan University. The payback period is 6.8 years at Michigan State University versus 12 years at Eastern Michigan University.
Graduates leave Michigan State University with a median $23,250 in debt versus $25,000 at Eastern Michigan University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.51 and 0.71 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Michigan State University | Eastern Michigan Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,458 | $16,240 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $43,842 | $16,240 |
| Net Price (avg) | $19,680 | $15,407 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $78,720 | $61,628 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,200 | $35,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,253 | $51,793 |
| Graduation Rate | 80.7% | 46.4% |
| Payback Period | 6.8 yr | 12 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $23,250 | $25,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $246 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.51 | 0.71 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.5% | 59.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 75.6% | 53.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.8% | 79.6% |
| Enrollment | 40,922 | 10,055 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1360 | 920-1170 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Michigan State Unive... | Eastern Michigan Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,068 | $13,250 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,830 | $12,863 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,521 | $13,748 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $22,703 | $18,243 |
| $110,001+ | $28,546 | $21,036 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Michigan State Unive... | Eastern Michigan Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $116,905 | $90,620 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $102,017 | $74,066 |
| Accounting | $96,093 | $70,471 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $94,143 | $75,528 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $91,187 | $66,233 |
| Marketing | $90,453 | $61,063 |
| Economics | $79,428 | $86,909 |
| Registered Nursing | $80,129 | $85,611 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $73,880 | $82,886 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $70,940 | $75,926 |
| Hospitality Administration | $69,651 | $51,874 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $69,300 | $59,927 |
| Chemistry | $65,983 | $67,767 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $67,290 | $52,624 |
| International Relations | $67,032 | $51,261 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Michigan State Unive... | Eastern Michigan Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 60 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 84 | 49 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 71 | 27 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 90 | 31 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 53 | 17 |
| Overall ROI Score | 79 | 42 |
The Verdict
Michigan State University significantly outperforms Eastern Michigan University on financial ROI (79 vs 42). The 37-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Eastern Michigan University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Michigan State University.
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Michigan State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Eastern Michigan University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.