Michigan State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Michigan State University (MSU) is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, enrolling about 40,922 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 84.80% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $67,253 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $16,458
- 2024 Average Net Price: $19,680 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 84.80% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 40,922 93.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 80.72%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 21.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 6.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 85.9%
- Average SAT Score: 1269
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 43,792
- Applicants (IPEDS): 58,879
- Room & Board: $12,564 annual estimate
Michigan State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Michigan State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Michigan State University?
Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (ZIP 48824-1046).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Michigan State University public or private?
Michigan State University is a Public institution.
How much does Michigan State University cost?
Published tuition: $16,458 in-state, $43,842 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $19,680.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,068 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,830 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,521 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,703 |
| $110,001+ | $28,546 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $65,832.
How hard is it to get into Michigan State University?
Admission rate: 84.80%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1269 and midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Michigan State University?
Total enrollment: 40,922 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 43,792 students.
Graduate enrollment: 10,855 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Michigan State University?
150%-time completion rate: 80.72%.
First-year retention: 90.0%.
What do graduates of Michigan State University earn?
Median earnings: $55,084 six years after entry; $67,253 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,250.
20.09% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Michigan State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (597 completions)
- Psychology, General (587 completions)
- Advertising (471 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (433 completions)
- Finance, General (398 completions)
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management (388 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (314 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (309 completions)
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (273 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (263 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Michigan State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 84.80%; completion rate 80.72%; median earnings $67,253 at 10 years; net price $19,680. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$16,458
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Michigan State University was $16,458.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$19,680
2024 Value
In 2024 Michigan State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,680.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$78,720 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$19,680 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$65,832 4-Year In-State Tuition
$175,368 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,564 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,380 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$30,402 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$121,608 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Michigan State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
20.09% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
33.63% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Michigan State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Michigan State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,862 | $33,750 | $16,507 |
| 2014 | $13,200 | $34,965 | $16,382 |
| 2015 | $13,560 | $36,360 | $16,788 |
| 2016 | $14,062 | $37,890 | $17,120 |
| 2017 | $14,460 | $39,406 | $18,576 |
| 2018 | $14,460 | $39,766 | $18,984 |
| 2019 | $14,460 | $39,766 | $19,173 |
| 2020 | $14,460 | $39,766 | $19,058 |
| 2021 | $14,750 | $40,562 | $10,925 |
| 2022 | $15,372 | $41,958 | $19,449 |
| 2023 | $15,988 | $43,372 | $20,751 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
84.80% Acceptance Rate
58,879 Total Applicants
49,414 Students Admitted
9,533 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.29% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1269
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Michigan State University reported total enrollment of about 40,922 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (67.2%), Asian (7.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (6.7%). About 20.09% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 21.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
93.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Michigan State University in 2024 is 40,922 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 43,792 students. Graduate enrollment is about 10,855 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
90.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 67.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
62.70% 100% Completion Time
80.72% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 62.70% of students graduating from Michigan State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 31% male / 69% female
- Psychology, General: 22% male / 78% female
- Advertising: 49% male / 51% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Michigan State University.
Return on Investment
$23,250 Median Student Debt
$67,253 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
34.57% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
754.33% Return on Investment
3.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Michigan State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 231 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 597 completions
2. Psychology, General: 587 completions
3. Advertising: 471 completions
4. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 433 completions
5. Finance, General: 398 completions
6. Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management: 388 completions
7. Mechanical Engineering: 314 completions
8. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 309 completions
9. Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy: 273 completions
Most popular programs at Michigan State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Michigan State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Michigan State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 85.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,468
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,397
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, MI, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Psychology, General, Advertising. Enrollment is approximately 40,922 students. Student body composition includes White (67.2%), Asian (7.9%), Hispanic or Latino (6.7%). The admission rate is 84.80%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1269. The 150%-time completion rate is 80.72%. Approximately 20.09% of students receive Pell Grants. About 21.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 80.72% graduation rate, Michigan State University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 231 distinct degree programs, Michigan State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is MSU located?
Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI. The institution is also known as MSU.
What is MSU's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Michigan State University (MSU) is 84.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 58,879 applicants and 49,414 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does MSU cost?
Reported tuition is $16,458 and average net price is $19,680 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,564 annually.
What is the student body demographics at MSU?
Michigan State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 43,792 students, White (67.2%), Asian (7.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend MSU?
About 21.0% of students at Michigan State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Michigan State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Michigan State University reports midpoint SAT about 1269 and midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of Michigan State University earn?
Median earnings are $55,084 six years after entry and $67,253 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Michigan State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 80.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Michigan State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,250.
Is Michigan State University public or private?
Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, MI.
Is Michigan State University an HBCU?
No. Michigan State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Michigan State University a tribal college?
No. Michigan State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Michigan college profile
- Michigan college costs
- Michigan colleges by ROI
- Michigan State University vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Grand Valley State University
- East Lansing, Michigan city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Michigan
- Michigan college costs
- Michigan colleges by ROI
- Michigan State University vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Grand Valley State University
- East Lansing, Michigan city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Michigan
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.