About Michigan State University

Founded in 1855, Michigan State University. is a Public college. Located in Michigan, which is a city setting in Michigan, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 39,090 full time undergraduate students, and 11,250 full time graduate students.

The Michigan State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 2405 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Michigan State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate65%
Application Deadline
Application Fee65
SAT Range990-1260
ACT Range24-29

Admissions at MSU are considered Selective, with ,320% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 22 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

96% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 68% were in the top quarter, and 28% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Michigan State University.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
65%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
55%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
22%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
37%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
91%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
23%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
70%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
8%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
46%
“We only party on weekends”
44%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
21%
“We know about current events and vote”
65%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
12%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
55%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
22%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
54%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
37%
“I feel extremely safe”
1%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
8%
“We bought the gear”
91%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
8%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
23%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
70%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
4%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
8%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
46%
“We only party on weekends”
44%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
5%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
5%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Michigan State University REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    551 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    435 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    559 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    568 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    569 Students rated class size 3.7 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    566 Students rated school activities 4.5 stars. 57 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    567 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    569 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Michigan State University?

230 Students rated Michigan State University

Kaylee - 08/01/2023

In my opinion, Michigan State University has its ups and downs. I am a transfer student and at the beginning of my studies, MSU's financial aid system glitched and my 12k of scholarships was revoked. I had to fight with MSU for almost a year to get them back. While of course, this was an extremely hard thing to go through, I adore going to MSU. We have an extreme sense of community here. I feel safe, I feel welcomed. Every week is something to do, you have so many opportunities for games, sports, activities and friends here. The campus is beautiful and the classes are academically challenging. There is no place I'd rather be. GO GREEN!

Emily - 07/07/2023

As someone who has felt out of place in her hometown all her life, MSU is a place I could finally thrive. Our campus is beautiful with the (albeit polluted) Red Cedar River flowing through it, tons of trees and greenery, gorgeous historical buildings, and several gardens. We are a top 100 college in academics in the United States, and we are a Big 10 University that is passionate about our sports. Our campus is diverse and has many organizations for students of color, lgbt students, international students, and anything else you can think of. The largest issue with our campus is the safety. As many know, on February 13th, 2023, Michigan State University suffered a tragedy. A tragedy that many people were not surprised by, a tragedy that many students and faculty blew off when they first learned about it due to how many emails we would frequently get about thefts or violence. The university has upped the safety precautions, but they can only do so much, and many people feel as though it is not enough. Therefore, my overall opinion on Michigan State University is somewhat low, as my university's officials do not care enough about the victims of the tragedy, or the safety of campus.

KaishiKaishi - 05/18/2023

In the last few years the quality of leadership and safety has definitely decreased a bit, but as a student not only would you find great faculty for every program but also countless opportunities for students to get involved in. There are so many resources available for everyone just as long as you put yourself out there.

Peyton - 12/29/2022

Born and raised in Michigan myself, I always had the option of Michigan State as a potential candidate to be my next post-secondary institution. That is not to say, one has to live in the Mitten to attend MSU because there are plenty of students from around the country infatuated with the school. Not only that but also people from around the globe, which is equally as important. The campus at MSU is like no other, with the Red Cedar river flowing through the heart of it, the BIG10 conference athletics, and many ways to explore academics and the social scene. Although I am a Spartan myself and definitely have bias, this school in East Lansing has more to offer than one may think.

Michigan State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Michigan State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Michigan State University is 65%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The most important thing I have received from my college experience was the opportunity to make a difference. This past year, I had to chance to work in a lab researching what makes Cholera bacteria virulent, research which hopefully will someday lead to better treatment and prevention of Cholera. Initially, my research seemed like just an interesting opportunity to apply the concepts I was learning about in classes. However, after the Cholera epidemic in Haiti broke out, I realized the things I was doing in college could have a huge impact on the world and that the impact I could have in college would be miniscule compared to the impact I could have after I graduated. This realization has inspired me to continue to seek ways to be involved in meaningful research and to look for other ways to impact the the world.

    Read all  540 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    they are usually all very friendly and outgoing if approached. Very determined as well and driven. They always seem to be hard workers

    Read all  251 answers
  4. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Michigan State University is great. I loved the idea of having to live in the dorms your freshmen year. Living on campus gives the students the opportunity to get familiar with the university and where things are such as the stadium, library, cafeterias and other cool places. But most importantly living on campus gives you the opportunity to meet all kinds of people and students that go to Michigan State as you. Coming from Germany, I did not know anyone who was going to Michigan State University and so my biggest concern was making friends and finding people I could hang out with. Michigan State University has about 43,000 students and it might seem a bit overwhelming but I found some of the greatest people here. You realize that you are not alone and that is the beautiful part of MSU. I love this school and I'm overly happy that I picked this university. GO GREEN!

    Read all  163 answers
  5. What are the academics like at your school?

    Tough, many classes require plenty of time studying.

    Read all  153 answers
  6. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Huge Party school where students just want to get blind drunk, skip class, and start riots.

    Read all  149 answers
  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    MSU offers Lyman Briggs, a residental science program from students who are premed,predent, prevet, or interested in math. MSU also has its own dairy store and many facilities and events on campus for students. Also many resturants,stores, etc are within 15 mintues of campus.

    Read all  148 answers
  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Although MSU students do party what college doesnt. Look at the other things yes we party but we balance it nicely with academics. MSU you some of the top academic programs in the country like business, journalism and education. Ok so there may have been riots in the past but this year what they called a "riot" was just a block party that was aggrevated by a few dumb people and the police. As for the burning couch, I have only seen one and it was last fall when my apartmen complex lost power some people thought it would be a good idea so we would have some light.

    Read all  144 answers
  9. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Sorority clubs

    Read all  131 answers
  10. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The judgemental attitudes some people carry with them.

    Read all  107 answers
  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    One thing i wish i had known was the best place to get a job. Since being here i have tried very hard to find a job on campus but have been unsuccsessful and the debt is starting to accumulate.

    Read all  103 answers
  12. What's unique about your campus?

    There is a large variety of classes available to students. Also, many majors give you an opportunity to take many electives, so you can get all of your requirements done and learn about many things in a four year period.

    Read all  96 answers
  13. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    MSU is full of friendly people, lots of academic and social activities, great accademic support, and it has a beautiful campus.

    Read all  94 answers
  14. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Any person could attend this school. Michigan State is a very diverse school ranging from kids who grew up in the country to kids who grew up in the inner city. There are kids of all different types and any person could make new friends from all over the world. There is not one kind of person who should attend this university.

    Read all  90 answers
  15. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    A person who is easily influenced by the urge to drink and do drugs instead of go to class. At MSU it is easy to get lost in the party scene and forget why you came here in the first place. Before attending this school a person should really think about if they are ready to move onto higher education and if they are really focused on school at this point in their lives.

    Read all  82 answers
  16. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag about everything about Michigan State. The amount of social clubs and activities we have does not compare to most universities, there is always something to do and regardless of interests there is a club. If there is not a club someone wants to join, creating one is not difficult. The clubs offer amazing networking opportunities and chances to make friends. The clubs also offer events every weekend so the nightlife is always exciting. Other than that, our professors wrote many of the books we use and the resources available to us are endless.

    Read all  78 answers
  17. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    School is known for vets, hospitality business and packaging, sports for basketball.

    Read all  75 answers
  18. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Nothing

    Read all  70 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    MSU is known for having many Asians on campus, and in return the popular stereotype of bad Asian drivers is big. Also, due to the Ferguson events many African American students are known for being boisterous about not being treated fairly, even though they are. They just don't get involved as well as they should.

    Read all  27 answers
  20. Tell us about the sports scene on campus.

    The sports scence on campus is amazing. There is so much energy when it comes to it. Basketball and football games are a lot of fun and the cheering from the crowd is fun and exciting. Many happy people roam campus when the victory is ours and there are a lot of angry people when we lose. Most spartans here are die hard fans and the atmosphere that is here is amazing when it comes to sports. Go Green!! Go White!!

    Read all  6 answers
  21. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    I decided to come to MSU because I had not other choice. My first was U of M where even with a 3.8 GPA and 28 ACT I didn't get in. When I first came here i thought I would absolutely hate it, but after my first semester I experienced the rigor of the courses and the high standard my major sets for itself (James Madison: the public affairs college).I came here with the mind set of transferring after my first year, but now it has grow on me and I love state!

    Read all  6 answers

Student Body

Students

51%

female

49%

male

39,090

Total Undergrad Enrollment

11,250

Total Grad Students

16%

Out-Of-State

70%

In-State

14%

International

Organizations

550

Student Organizations

31

Fraternities

19

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

32%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
5%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
67%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

68% of students attending Michigan State University receive some sort of financial aid. 23% were awarded federal grants. While 43% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$38,486

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,076

Books and Supplies

$9,784

Room and Board

49,346

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$6,665
$30 - $48K
$12,416
$48 - $75K
$18,143
$75 - $110K
$22,871
$110K & UP
$24,846

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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