Michigan State University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
East Lansing, MI
4.5 6 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Michigan

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

52,089

Location East Lansing, Michigan
Website msu.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Rural Fringe

Best Colleges Rank

#241

Size Large
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, Michigan, sits on over 5,000 acres along the Red Cedar River, approximately 90 miles northwest of Detroit. Founded in 1855 as an agricultural college, MSU served as the prototype for land-grant institutions under the Morrill Act of 1862. The university features a mix of collegiate Gothic and modern architecture across its main campus, with notable strengths in agriculture, business, engineering, and nuclear physics, including the operation of the nation's first cyclotron. MSU's undergraduate academic programs are housed within 17 degree-granting colleges, with most first-year students residing in one of the university's extensive residence hall neighborhoods. As a member of the Big Ten Conference, the MSU Spartans compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with particular prominence in basketball and football.

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Ratings

Michigan State is rated within the top 32% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Michigan State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1180/1360
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 25/31
GPA 3.72

Acceptance Rate

84.8%

Applications Due -
Enrollment Rate 18.3%
Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Michigan Resident Tuition

$16,458

Out of State Resident Tuition

$43,842

Breakdown

Tuition $16,458
Books and Supplies $1,380
Other Fees $340
Room and Board $12,564
Budget for Other Expenses $3,838
Total One Year Cost $34,580

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$60,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

77% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Michigan State University are Business, Social Sciences, and Communication. 17% of students major in Business, 11% in Social Sciences, and 11% in Communication.