Which university has greater overall academic prestige: Michigan State or Indiana University?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that Indiana University Bloomington tends to have a slightly stronger broad national academic brand in several white-collar and humanities-facing fields, while Michigan State carries particularly strong recognition in applied, research, and land-grant areas such as supply chain, agriculture, education, and certain STEM fields. Both are large, well-regarded Big Ten research universities and members of the Association of American Universities. The difference in overall prestige is modest enough that your major, academic performance, internships, research, and recommendations will matter much more.

IU Bloomington has especially visible schools and programs in business through Kelley, music through Jacobs, public and environmental affairs, media, and the humanities. Michigan State has notable institutional strength in supply chain management, business, engineering, education, agriculture, veterinary medicine, communications, and research connected to its land-grant mission. For an employer recruiting in a field where one of these programs is a known standout, that program-level reputation can outweigh any broad university comparison.

For graduate-school admission, neither name alone is likely to decide an outcome. A high GPA in rigorous courses, sustained faculty relationships, research or substantive work experience, and strong letters from either institution will carry considerably more weight. Location and recruiting can matter too: IU has an especially extensive alumni presence in Indiana and parts of the Midwest, while MSU is deeply connected across Michigan and has broad national reach through its large alumni network.

If the question is strictly overall academic prestige, IU Bloomington has a small edge in broad perception, but it is not a decisive one. With similar programs, choose based on the specific department, cost, campus environment, and the opportunities you are most likely to use.