Michigan State University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Michigan State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

88%

Admission Difficulty for Michigan State University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Very High
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Michigan State is 88%. Its admission rate is the 37th lowest in Michigan.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Michigan State and can you get accepted?

Michigan State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 46,914 out of the 53,341 who applied were admitted.

Michigan State University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Michigan State?

88% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Michigan State University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.72 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1260 on the SAT
Score 28 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Michigan State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.72

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Michigan State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Michigan State are to have around a 3.72 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.72 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Michigan State accepts 88% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Michigan State is 3.72 on the 4.0 scale. 23% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #8 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Michigan State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Michigan State University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	22.92%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	27.81%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	23.22%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	15.63%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	8.24%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	2.1%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.06%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.02%	Reach
less than 1.00	0.02%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Michigan State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Michigan State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 39% of students submitted SAT scores and 11% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1160-1360

Applicants Submitting SAT

39%

SAT Scores for Michigan State University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	580
Math 25th Percentile	580
Composite 25th Percentile	1160

SAT Scores for Michigan State University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	670
Math 75th Percentile	690
Composite 75th Percentile	1360
Average SAT Score	1260

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Michigan State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Michigan State is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1160-1360. Students who get into Michigan State University score in the top 31 percent of all SAT test takers.. Michigan State ranks #4 in the state of Michigan and #245 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Michigan State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1160 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1160, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Michigan State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1260, you have around a 88% chance of being admitted. A 1360 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

Michigan State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1360 and Above	Good	>93%
1260 to 1360	Avg +	88%-93%
1160 to 1260	Avg -	79%-88%
1060 to 1160	Reach	67%-79%
Less than 1060	Low	<67%

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Michigan State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

25-31

Applicants Submitting ACT

11%

ACT Scores for Michigan State University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	24
Math 25th Percentile	24
Composite 25th Percentile	25

ACT Scores for Michigan State University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	32
Math 75th Percentile	29
Composite 75th Percentile	31
Average ACT Score	28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Michigan State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Michigan State is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 31. The school ranks #4 in Michigan and #209 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

11 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Michigan State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Michigan State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Michigan State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 88% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 31 ACT score.

Michigan State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31 and Above	Good	>93%
28 to 31	Avg +	88%-93%
25 to 28	Avg -	79%-88%
22 to 25	Reach	67%-79%
Less than 22	Low	<67%

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High School Class Rank

54% of Michigan State University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 23% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Michigan State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	23%
Top 25% of class	54%
Top 50% of class	89%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Michigan State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	28,362	24,979	53,341
Accepted	25,246	21,668	46,914
Acceptance Rate	89%	87%	88%
Enrolled	5,099	4,730	9,829
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	22%	21%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Michigan State University is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Michigan State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Michigan State University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Michigan State University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Michigan State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.72 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1260 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.