verifiedCampus View

Michigan State University

location_onEast Lansing, MI

PublicCity: SmallYellow Ribbon
open_in_newVisit Site
85%
Acceptance Rate
40,922
Total Students
$44k
Sticker Price
81%
Grad Rate
$67k
Median Salary

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Data as of May 2026
🎯Can I Get In?
85%
Accessible
Acceptance Rate
Tests Required
85% accept rateNat'l avg: 66%
SAT Range1180–1360
ACT Range25–31
GPA Avg3.8
payments$75 application fee
groups40,922 students enrolled
schoolPublic · City: Small
Your MatchPlus Feature
85% acceptance rate. Compare your scores against admitted students — is this a Match, Reach, or Safety for you?
💰Can I Afford It?
Sticker Price
$43,842
Net Price
Not reported
$23,250Avg Debt
≈ $194/mo for 10 yrs
Avg salary after graduation$67,253/yr
Debt-to-income ratio35% (healthy)
Avg debt below national average ($29,400)
Your Net Price EstimatePlus Feature
Most families overpay for college. See what Michigan State University actually costs for your income level.
💜Why Go Here?
Graduation Rate81%
Nat'l avg: 62%
Retention Rate90%
Nat'l avg: 68%
$67k
Avg Salary
↑ Above $46k avg
17:1
Faculty Ratio
Average
40.9k
Students
Large
schoolPublic · City: Small
Your Fit ScorePlus Feature
With a 81% graduation rate, Michigan State University beats most colleges. See if it fits your goals.
🏆How Does It Stack Up?
#64
US News
Top 100
#74
Forbes
Top 100
Deal Score84
Exceptional Value
diversity_121% First-Gen Students
trending_up100% Loan Repayment Rate
account_balance20% Pell Grant Recipients
CD Quality ScoresPlus Feature
See how Michigan State University ranks on value, outcomes, and student satisfaction with our proprietary analysis
Get Plus →
156Days
scheduleApplication Countdown
Early Decision deadline is Nov 1, 2026
You have time to research and prepare thoroughly.
auto_awesomeAt a Glance
If you are looking for the quintessential American college experience where Big Ten school spirit meets world-class research, Michigan State University in East Lansing might just be your perfect match. Standing tall as a powerhouse of public education, MSU offers an incredibly vibrant environment for its 40,243 students. While the sheer size of the student body might seem daunting at first, State has mastered the art of making a massive university feel like a close-knit community. This is largely thanks to their pioneering neighborhood housing model and renowned living-learning communities, where you can live in the same hall as other students in your academic program. It is a place where you can paint your face green for a football game on Saturday and contribute to groundbreaking agricultural or supply chain research on Monday. With an acceptance rate of 84%, MSU is accessible to many hard-working students, but do not mistake accessibility for a lack of rigor; the university demands engagement and drive, evidenced by a strong 4-Year graduation rate of 82% that underscores their commitment to student success. Academically, Michigan State is a heavy hitter with a curriculum that encourages you to get your hands dirty from day one. Whether you are interested in their top-ranked supply chain management program, their historic focus on agriculture, or their highly competitive residential colleges like James Madison for public affairs or Lyman Briggs for science, you will find resources here that smaller schools simply cannot match. The university is also a global leader in study abroad participation, encouraging you to expand your worldview. For in-state students, the tuition of $15,988 represents a solid value for a degree with this much weight, while the out-of-state cost of $43,372 reflects the premium of attending a premier research institution. You are not just paying for classes; you are investing in a massive alumni network and a support system designed to help you thrive. The faculty here are mentors who want to see you succeed, provided you are willing to take the initiative to knock on their doors. Life in East Lansing is the heartbeat of the Spartan experience. This is a true college town where the borders between campus and community blur, offering endless coffee shops, bookstores, and hangouts that cater specifically to you. Who thrives here? Students who are energetic, self-motivated, and ready to get involved. If you want to blend into the background, you could, but the students who love MSU the most are the ones joining some of the hundreds of student organizations, rushing Greek life, or cheering in the Izzone. It is a campus for people who want the roar of the stadium and the quiet focus of the library in equal measure. If you are ready to wear green and white for the rest of your life and want a university that offers endless pathways to explore your passions, becoming a Spartan is a decision that will shape your future in the best way possible.
Deal Score
83.87
/ 100
Excellent Value
Based on cost, earnings, & outcomes
Academics & Admissions
Faculty-Student Ratio
17:1
Test Score Ranges
1270
SAT
/
3.8
GPA
Class Sizes
Medium
based on faculty ratio
Application Deadline
04/01/2026
via Coalition Application, Common Application
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price$43,842
Room & Board$12,564
Avg Grad Debt$23,250
Popular Majors
Computer and Information Sciences, General$86k/yr
Computer Engineering$84k/yr
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$84k/yr
Mechanical Engineering$80k/yr
Chemical Engineering$79k/yr
Materials Engineering$78k/yr
boltThe Vibe

"If you are looking for the quintessential American college experience where Big Ten school spirit meets world-class research, Michigan State University in East Lansing might just be your perfect match. Standing tall as a powerhouse of public education, MSU offers an incredibly vibrant environment for its 40,243 students. While the sheer size of the student body might seem daunting at first, State has mastered the art of making a massive university feel like a close-knit community. This is largely thanks to their pioneering neighborhood housing model and renowned living-learning communities, where you can live in the same hall as other students in your academic program. It is a place where you can paint your face green for a football game on Saturday and contribute to groundbreaking agricultural or supply chain research on Monday. With an acceptance rate of 84%, MSU is accessible to many hard-working students, but do not mistake accessibility for a lack of rigor; the university demands engagement and drive, evidenced by a strong 4-Year graduation rate of 82% that underscores their commitment to student success. Academically, Michigan State is a heavy hitter with a curriculum that encourages you to get your hands dirty from day one. Whether you are interested in their top-ranked supply chain management program, their historic focus on agriculture, or their highly competitive residential colleges like James Madison for public affairs or Lyman Briggs for science, you will find resources here that smaller schools simply cannot match. The university is also a global leader in study abroad participation, encouraging you to expand your worldview. For in-state students, the tuition of $15,988 represents a solid value for a degree with this much weight, while the out-of-state cost of $43,372 reflects the premium of attending a premier research institution. You are not just paying for classes; you are investing in a massive alumni network and a support system designed to help you thrive. The faculty here are mentors who want to see you succeed, provided you are willing to take the initiative to knock on their doors. Life in East Lansing is the heartbeat of the Spartan experience. This is a true college town where the borders between campus and community blur, offering endless coffee shops, bookstores, and hangouts that cater specifically to you. Who thrives here? Students who are energetic, self-motivated, and ready to get involved. If you want to blend into the background, you could, but the students who love MSU the most are the ones joining some of the hundreds of student organizations, rushing Greek life, or cheering in the Izzone. It is a campus for people who want the roar of the stadium and the quiet focus of the library in equal measure. If you are ready to wear green and white for the rest of your life and want a university that offers endless pathways to explore your passions, becoming a Spartan is a decision that will shape your future in the best way possible."

8
Rigor
8
Career
10
Social
8
Value
Signature StrengthGlobal Impact

Michigan State University
Innovation Engine

A Tier-1 Research Powerhouse driving global discovery. Undergraduate students work alongside world-class faculty to solve humanity's toughest challenges.

attach_money
Funding
Federal + Private
science
Discovery
Research Centers
public
Impact
Patents & Innovations
R1
Carnegie Classification
person_search
Undergrad Research
Available Freshman Year
verifiedCollege Decoded Grades
CD Exclusive
C+
Academics
B
Value
A-
Diversity
B
Outcomes
B
Social
A-
Housing
See your real chances and true cost at Michigan State University