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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.
Michigan State University is a public university located in East Lansing, MI and set in a suburban environment. This school uses 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.
To find out more about what Michigan State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
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 institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most vital facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Michigan State University.
According to the newest data, 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 takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. 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
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 52% and ACT scores 8%. 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% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students 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 average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.74. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Michigan State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 610 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 610.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to Michigan State University is April 1. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is May 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Michigan State University was 90%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 81%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right fit for you. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Michigan State University in 2025 was 52,089.
That year, the school 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 international 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. There were 3,709 full-time graduate male and 4,601 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of 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, while the number of African American students was 2,702. 2,751 students at this school declared 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, and 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. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $19,284, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $45,636 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at Michigan State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $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 cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,420.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Michigan State University was $12,928 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $5,338, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $5,338.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 19,284 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,928 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,420 |
| Total Expense | $ 33,632 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial help available to students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Michigan State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 4,220 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $17,302.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
12,154 students gained 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 stood at $58,457,539, and state $35,502,324.
$4,910
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
10,977 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 2,170 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $58,457,539 while the state aid is $4,179,328. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
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 faculty of this school consists of 3,067 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 1,635 male and 1,432 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Michigan State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about social life at Michigan State University.
Its campus spans 5,192 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 700 open-membership organizations at Michigan State University. 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. If you are interested in music, you can join the Michigan State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students who have a passion for 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 required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 excellent 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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that 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.
