Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
- Public
- City
- 40,922 undergrads
- Admit rate
- 85%Source: College Scorecard
- Average net price
- $21,322per year, after grantsSource: College Scorecard
- Graduation rate
- 81%within 6 yearsSource: College Scorecard
- Median earnings
- $74,16810 years after startingSource: College Scorecard
What's special
The Spartan Tuition Advantage covers full tuition for incoming first-years who qualify for in-state tuition, are Pell-eligible and have household income of $75,000 or less. You just apply for admission and file the FAFSA.
Source: MSU Office of Financial Aid
Michigan State has a two-year live-on requirement for students who start there as first-years.
Source: Transfer next steps | Transfer admits - MSU Admissions
Getting in
- Admit rate
- 85%About 8 in 10 applicants get in.Source: College Scorecard
- Test policy
- Test-optionalScores are considered if you send them, but not required.Source: College Scorecard
- SAT (middle 50%)
- 1180–1360Reading + math, enrolled first-years who sent scoresSource: College Scorecard
- ACT (middle 50%)
- 25–31Composite, enrolled first-years who sent scoresSource: College Scorecard
From Michigan State University's own report
These numbers come from the school's Common Data Set for 2025–26, a standard report colleges publish about their applicants and first-year students. Open the report.
53% had a 3.75 or higher. The average was 3.74. Schools count GPA differently (weighted or not), so compare ranges loosely.
- Admit rate in this report
- 83%52,411 admitted of 62,965 first-year applicants
- Top 10% of their class
- 20%53% were in the top quarter.
What the admissions office says it weighs
Very important
- GPA
Important
- How challenging your classes were
- Essay
- Activities
Considered
- Test scores
- Interview
- A talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Being first in your family to go to college
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Showing interest in the school
Not considered
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Family who went there (legacy)
- Where you live
- Living in the state
- Religious affiliation
Where you'd stand
Enter your numbers to see where they'd fall among Michigan State University's first-year students. This isn't a prediction: it shows how you compare with students who enrolled, using the sources linked below.
Leave out anything you don't have. Your numbers stay in this browser and fill in on other school pages. See my list
Sources: Michigan State University Common Data Set 2025–26; College Scorecard. Test ranges describe enrolled students who sent scores.
What it really costs
Most families pay less than the sticker price. Net price is what's left after grants and scholarships.
- Average net price
- $21,322full-time first-years who got grant aidSource: College Scorecard
- Total cost of attendance
- $33,710sticker price incl. housing, per yearSource: College Scorecard
- Tuition, in-state
- $17,256Source: College Scorecard
- Tuition, out-of-state
- $44,640Source: College Scorecard
After you enroll
- Graduation rate
- 81%first-time, full-time students finishing within 6 yearsSource: College Scorecard
- Came back for year two
- 90%full-time first-year studentsSource: College Scorecard
- Median earnings
- $74,16810 years after starting, for students who got federal aidSource: College Scorecard
- Median debt at graduation
- $20,000federal loans, students who finishedSource: College Scorecard
Students
- Undergraduates
- 40,922Source: College Scorecard
- Receive Pell grants
- 24%a sign of economic diversitySource: College Scorecard
- First-generation students
- 21%parents didn't go beyond high schoolSource: College Scorecard
Similar schools
Also worth a look
- Oregon State University Corvallis, OR — admits 77%
- University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
- University of Arizona Tucson, AZ — admits 86%
- The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL — admits 77%
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO — admits 89%
- Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI — admits 83%
Where these numbers come from
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard page for Michigan State University, which draws on what the school reports to the federal government and on federal student aid and tax records. We last pulled the data on November 4, 2026. Different measures cover different years; here's how each one works.
Spot something wrong? Report a data error.