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East Lansing , MI
Michigan State University (MSU) is a public research university located in East Lansing, Michigan. Established in 1855, it is one of the largest universities in the United States with a massive campus spread over 5,200 acres. MSU is renowned for its academic excellence, extensive research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. With over 200 undergraduate degree programs and 140 master's and doctoral degree programs, the university offers a wide range of disciplines to its diverse student body of more than 50,000 students.
As a leading research institution, Michigan State University is known for its pioneering work in various fields. The university consistently ranks among the top institutions for research expenditure, investing millions of dollars in groundbreaking projects. MSU is particularly renowned for its programs in agriculture, engineering, business, communications, and social sciences. The university's faculty includes esteemed scholars and experts who contribute to expanding knowledge and making a significant impact in academia and society.
Beyond academics, Michigan State University provides a vibrant and inclusive campus experience. The university offers an array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to various interests and passions. With numerous sports teams competing at the Division I level, MSU's athletic program, the Spartans, is highly regarded and fosters a strong sense of school spirit. Additionally, the university prides itself on its commitment to community service and engagement, encouraging students to contribute to local and global issues through various volunteer programs and initiatives.
In summary, Michigan State University is a prestigious institution known for its academic excellence, world-class research programs, and vibrant campus life. With its diverse range of degree programs and extensive resources, MSU aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience to its students. Whether through academic achievements, research breakthroughs, or community service, Spartans are well-equipped to succeed and make a positive impact on the world.
Located in East Lansing, MI and set in a suburban environment, Michigan State University is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 84%. The freshman retention rate at Michigan State University is 90% and the six-year graduation rate is 81%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is April 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about Michigan State University.
Quick Facts
41,234
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
81%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Here are the most vital data you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Michigan State University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 52,690 in 2025. Michigan State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
52% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 8% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 11.02% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 42.82% between 1,200 and 1,399, 36.64% between 1,000 and 1,199, 9.08% between 800 and 999, and 0.44% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 31.3, 47 between 24-29, 19.3 in the range between 18-23, 2.3 between 12-17, and 0.1 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.74. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 610 and an average SAT Math score of 610.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by April 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is May 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Michigan State University was 90%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 81%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 52,089 students.
That year, the institution had 16.5% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 41,234, 2027 of which were foreign students. 1,326 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 22,158 male and 24,704 female full-time students in 2025. 3,709 full-time graduate men and 4,601 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Michigan State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 3,228, and the number of African American students was 2,702. 2,751 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,819 identified with more than one race. The school also had 29 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 112 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 742 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Michigan State University.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Michigan State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $19,284, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $45,636. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $45,636, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $458 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $45,636 | $458 | $46,094 |
| In-State | $19,284 | $458 | $19,742 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. Most students have to give about $1,420 for books and supplies during their time at Michigan State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Michigan State University was $12,928 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $5,338 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 19,284 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,928 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,420 |
| Total Expense | $ 33,632 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Michigan State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 4,220 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $17,302.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
12,154 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 15,771. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $58,457,539, and state $35,502,324.
$4,910
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
10,977 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 2,170 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $58,457,539 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $4,179,328. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $118,661,226. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $27,038,789 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Michigan State University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 3,067. Out of that number, there were 1,635 men and 1,432 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Michigan State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at Michigan State University.
Its campus is 5,192 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
This school has 700 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 12% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 11 for female students. Those interested in music can join the Michigan State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Michigan State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Michigan State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Michigan State University.
All in all, campus life at Michigan State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Michigan State University.
Career Counselling
At Michigan State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Michigan State University is 84%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Michigan State University is 90%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.