Michigan State University logo

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI·Public·https://www.msu.edu/

Campus Identity

Land GrantNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Michigan State University is a large public university in East Lansing, MI. Approximately 40,922 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 85% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 36 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Michigan State University is a large public university in East Lansing, MI. Approximately 40,922 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 85% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 36 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 45/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

85%
Acceptance Rate
62,138 applications
28
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 25–31
$14,750
In-State Tuition
$40,562
Out-of-State Tuition
$12,564
Room & Board
40,922
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
Big Ten
Selectivity85% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

590630680

SAT Math

590630680

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

Big Ten

Greek Life

Active Greek System

12% frats · 13% sororities

School Size & Setting

20,000+

Urban setting

Ski Access

36 miles

Mt. Brighton Ski Area

Weather

Cold Climate

42°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

36 mi away
130 skiable acres12 lifts
47 mi away
Mount Holly

Michigan

47 mi away
100 skiable acres13 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · East Lansing, MI

25°Jan27°Feb36°Mar48°Apr59°May69°Jun72°Jul71°Aug64°Sep52°Oct40°Nov30°Dec

Station: EAST LANSING 4 S · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

45/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety454940
45/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
49/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
40/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$14,750$40,562
Room & Board
$12,564$12,564
Total
$27,314$53,126
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $65

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

350 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Biology, GeneralBachelor's
516 grads/yr$64,018
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
496 grads/yr$56,040
MedicineProfessional
463 grads/yr$130,503
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
448 grads/yr$91,187
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationBachelor's
444 grads/yr$69,300

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business/Commerce, General
Master's112 grads$188,085
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's214 grads$142,927
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Master's201 grads$139,589
Medicine
Professional463 grads$130,503
Veterinary Medicine
Professional112 grads$127,621
Human Resources Management and Services
Master's51 grads$127,481
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's34 grads$123,621
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's10 grads$118,130
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's372 grads$116,905
Chemistry
Doctoral28 grads$113,129

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Michigan State University located?

Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Michigan State University?

Michigan State University has an acceptance rate of 85%, making it accessible. Out of 62,138 applicants, 52,690 were admitted in the most recent year. 40,922 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Michigan State University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Michigan State University scored between 25 and 31 on the ACT, with a median of 28. About 7% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Michigan State University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Michigan State University charges $14,750/year for in-state students and $40,562/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($12,564/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $40,562/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Michigan State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Michigan State University?

The undergraduate application fee at Michigan State University is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Michigan State University have college sports?

Yes — Michigan State University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Big Ten. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Michigan State University the right fit for me?

Whether Michigan State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (85% admit rate), cost ($40,562/year out-of-state), campus culture in East Lansing, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Michigan State University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Michigan State University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
East Lansing, MI
Size
20,000+
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
Land Grant
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Big Ten
School Year Weather
Cold · 42°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
45/100
Nearest Airport
Lansing, MI (LAN) · 6 mialso JXN (33 mi), FNT (41 mi)

Location

East Lansing, MI

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.