Michigan State University vs University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Michigan State University vs University of Massachusetts Amherst

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

By subject strengths and world rankings, Michigan State University is typically ranked between 150 and 200 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, whereas UMass Amherst ranks 247th. According to Times Higher Education 2025, UMass Amherst ranks about 84th worldwide, whereas Michigan State typically falls between 100 and 200. Michigan State is particularly strong in Data Science, Social Sciences, and Agriculture, while UMass Amherst is particularly strong in Social Sciences, Public Health, and Engineering. 

General Information

Michigan State University is significantly larger, with a total student enrollment of approximately 51,000 students, as opposed to UMass Amherst's 31,800 students. MSU has a large number of undergraduate and graduate degrees, distributed across several colleges, with traditional areas of strength in Business and Agriculture. UMass Amherst offers more than 100 undergraduate majors through 10 schools and colleges with a focus on interdisciplinary research and public service. Michigan State is situated on a campus in East Lansing that has a rural, spread-out feel, and UMass Amherst has a suburban campus that's nestled in a vibrant college town. Both institutions are proud of their rich athletic histories, the MSU Spartans and the UMass Minutemen.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Michigan State's acceptance rate is roughly 84 percent, so it is moderately selective, whereas UMass Amherst's acceptance rate is roughly 58 percent, so it is more competitive. The average accepted student at MSU has an SAT range of 1150 to 1350, an ACT score of 26 to 31, and a mean GPA of roughly 3.7. At UMass Amherst, the average admitted student has an SAT score of 1300-1480, an ACT score of 29-33, and an average GPA of approximately 3.9. Michigan State gets around 59,000 applications per year, while UMass Amherst gets around 50,000 applications per year.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are R1 universities with extremely high research activity. Michigan State University has significant research concentrations in Agriculture, Social Sciences, Physics, and Data Science. It houses the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and one of the largest university libraries in the country at approximately 6.9 million volumes. UMass Amherst is particularly strong in Engineering, Social Sciences, and Public Health, with a library network containing approximately 3.6 million volumes and numerous collaborative research centers. Michigan State is also bigger in faculty size and total research production, but UMass Amherst focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and excels in engineering and public health research.

Cost & Financial Aid

In-state tuition at Michigan State University is around 16,458 dollars per annum, out-of-state tuition is around 43,842 dollars, and room and board is around 11,754 dollars. The typical aid package is approximately 9,950 dollars, and approximately 96 percent of students have some type of financial assistance. UMass Amherst's in-state tuition is roughly 16,591 dollars annually, out-of-state tuition is roughly 38,527 dollars, and room and board is roughly 14,869 dollars. The typical aid package is roughly 12,343 dollars, and approximately 75 percent of students receive assistance.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate stands at approximately 82 percent, whereas that of UMass Amherst is approximately 83 percent. MSU alumni earn between 50,000 and 70,000 dollars within one to five years following graduation, whereas those from UMass Amherst earn between 50,000 and 65,000 dollars over the same time period. Michigan State boasts more than 500,000 alumni, with strong ties in Business, Agriculture, Communication, and Education, and a very strong presence in the Midwest. UMass Amherst alumni are particularly well-represented in Engineering, Public Health, and Social Sciences, with a focus in the Northeastern United States and strong links to technology and public sector professions.