East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, a small city in Michigan. With an undergraduate enrollment of 40,922 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, it serves a substantial student body across its campus.
Michigan State University admits 84.8% of applicants, indicating relatively modest selectivity. Applicants should expect a straightforward admissions process with a high likelihood of acceptance.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 27,749 | 22,974 | 82.8% | 4,596 |
| Women | 31,128 | 26,438 | 84.9% | 4,936 |
Michigan State University admits 84.8% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Michigan State University's cost of attendance is $34,240, while the average net price students pay is $19,680, meaning students pay considerably less than the sticker price on average.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $246.
After aid, Michigan State University costs $19,680 a year — about 35% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Michigan State University has a graduation rate of 81.4%, with median earnings of $55,084 six years after entry and $67,253 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 580 |
| Psychology, General | 486 |
| Advertising | 449 |
| Finance, General | 398 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 369 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain... | 342 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 297 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 262 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 257 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 207 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Michigan State University are $62,777, and 76% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Michigan State University students earn $55,084 — 20% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan's small city setting, with an undergraduate enrollment of 40,922 students. The student body includes 51.7% women, 21.0% first-generation students, and 20.1% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
660 of 37,367 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
476 of 40,483 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 2,010 of 10,833 graduate students.
Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and operates its own medical school.
Michigan State University spends $103,881 per student on research — about 12× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI, in what IPEDS classifies as a small city setting. The campus sits about 1.2 miles from the center of East Lansing. There is 1 other college within 25 miles, and Flint, MI is 44.5 miles away.
Ingham County scores 10.8 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 55% of East Lansing's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Michigan State University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Michigan State University reported 26 arrests and 716 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Michigan State University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Michigan State University has an acceptance rate of 84.8%. In the most recent admission cycle, the university received 58,879 applications, admitted 49,414 applicants, and enrolled 9,533 students.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 550-660 on the SAT math section and 24-30 on the ACT composite. The average high school GPA for admitted students was 3.74.
The cost of attendance at Michigan State is $34,240. Tuition and fees are $43,842 annually. However, the average net price after aid is $19,680, making it more affordable for many students.
Michigan State serves students from diverse economic backgrounds. About 20.1% of undergraduates receive Pell grants, and 33.6% of students borrow federal loans. The average net price after aid is $19,680.
The median federal student debt at graduation is $23,250. About 33.6% of students borrow federal loans, and the three-year loan repayment rate is 67.3%.
Michigan State has a graduation rate of 81.4%. The university maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 to support student success.
Graduates have median earnings of $55,084 six years after entry and $67,253 ten years after entry, reflecting career growth and advancement opportunities.
Michigan State has an undergraduate enrollment of 40,922 students. Women comprise 51.7% of the student body, and 21.0% are first-generation college students.
Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan, a small city setting that provides a collegiate atmosphere with access to urban amenities.
Michigan State offered 4,334 applicants a waitlist position, and 3,596 of those students were admitted from the waitlist, demonstrating opportunities for waitlisted candidates.