3. I really hate to say this, but MSU has a much greater choice of very attractive programs in fields where the employment market is very, very strong. Engineering, medical sciences, architecture, business, etc. UM has some strong fields also, and some overlap, but liberal arts aren't nearly as "in demand" as the STEM based programs. Many of UM's traditional strengths have been minimized. Let's face it. There just aren't as many jobs in forestry, journalism, wildlife biology, classical literature, etc. UM needs to face this problem directly, and take its head out of its ass. Otherwise, nothing is going to change. If my kids were graduating today, I would have a hard time pushing them towards UM rather than MSU, unless they wanted to go into a program specifically offered at UM, and not at MSU, such as PT, Pharm, etc. I would actually push them towards a trade, but that is a different story.