Michigan State Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- East Lansing, MI
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Michigan State Admission Overview
Michigan State admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Michigan State admitted 84.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (A-) and SAT 1180-1360 / ACT 25-31. Michigan State is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Michigan State is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Michigan State Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Michigan State University
Acceptance Rate
The Michigan State acceptance rate is 84.8%. Last year, 52,690 of 62,138 applicants were admitted. That is the 30th lowest acceptance rate in Michigan.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Michigan State and can you get accepted?
Michigan State is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Michigan State University typically 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. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Michigan State GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.72Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.72
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Michigan State typically have around a 3.72 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Michigan State is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
23% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #8 in Michigan for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Michigan State Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Michigan State University is test-optional for first-year applicants for fall 2027. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission or merit scholarship consideration. Applicants indicate on the application whether scores should be included and may self-report them. Admitted students who applied with self-reported scores must send official ACT or SAT results before New Student Orientation. MSU uses the highest composite SAT or ACT score and does not superscore across sittings. The writing and science portions are recommended but not required.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year/act-sat-test-optional
Michigan State SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1180-1360Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
39%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 590
- Math 590
- Composite 1180
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 680
- Composite 1360
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Michigan State typically score around a 1270 SAT (middle 50% 1180–1360) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 85th percentile nationally. Michigan State ranks #4 in the state of Michigan and #242 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1180 to 1360
SAT policy
Michigan State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Michigan State ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
25-31Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
7%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English 32
- Math 29
- Composite 31
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Michigan State typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Michigan State places #5 among colleges in Michigan and #221 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 31
ACT policy
You may apply to Michigan State without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Michigan State chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Michigan State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Michigan State University is $65.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Michigan State is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 84.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1180-1360); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Michigan State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=171100.
GPA calculator: Michigan State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026