Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · EAST LANSING, MI · PUBLIC

Michigan State University Acceptance Rate

Michigan State University
83.9%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For Michigan State University, the gap is real: a $32,198 published sticker, but families actually pay about $17,134/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
Michigan State University is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
83.9%
of 58,879 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$67,253
across all majors
01

Michigan State University at a Glance

54,390
Total Enrollment
$23,250
Median Debt
20.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for Michigan State University

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading580670625
SAT Math570680625
SAT Total115013501250
ACT Composite263128

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received58,879
Students Admitted49,414
Students Enrolled9,533
Yield Rate19.3%

Michigan State University Admissions Overview

Michigan State University is a public university in East Lansing, MI with 54,390 students. With a 83.9% acceptance rate, most students who meet the requirements are admitted. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Biological Sciences, and Communication.

Full NameMichigan State University
LocationEast Lansing, MI 48824-1046
TypePublic
Websitemsu.edu/
Total Enrollment54,390
Undergrad Enrollment41,943
Female Students51.5%

Is Michigan State University a Reach, Match, or Safety?

Michigan State University accepts 83.9% of applicants, making it accessible for most qualified students. If you meet the basic academic requirements, this is likely a Safety school for you.

Your ProfileMichigan State University Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

Michigan State University True Cost by Family Income

20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Michigan State enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $7,068 $28,272
$30-48k $10,830 $43,320
$48-75k $16,521 $66,084
$75-110k $22,703 $90,812
$110k+ $28,546 $114,184

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$11,754
Total Cost of Attendance$32,198

Want to see how Michigan State University stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at Michigan State University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing
15.4%
Biological Sciences
13.5%
Communication
9.7%
Engineering
9.1%
Social Sciences
8.6%
Best Majors at Michigan State University →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
66.6%
Black/African American
7.0%
Hispanic/Latino
6.0%
Asian
7.7%
International
6.2%

How to Get Into Michigan State University

Michigan State is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — Michigan State still offers strong programs and outcomes.

1250
Target SAT Score
28
Target ACT Score
83.9%
Acceptance Rate
58,879
Total Applicants

What Michigan State University Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Important
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Important
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at Michigan State University by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

Michigan State University Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the Michigan State University Rolling admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Priority DeadlineNov 1
Regular DecisionMay 1
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Rolling Admissions: Michigan State University reviews applications as they arrive. Apply early for the best chance at admission and financial aid.

See Michigan State University alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

20.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$23,250
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$55,084
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan State University

What is Michigan State's acceptance rate?
Michigan State has an acceptance rate of 83.9%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for Michigan State?
The middle 50% SAT range at Michigan State is 1150-1350. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 26-31. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at Michigan State?
The most popular majors at Michigan State by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (15.4%), Biological Sciences (13.5%), Communication (9.7%), Engineering (9.1%), Social Sciences (8.6%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
▎FROM THE DATA TO YOUR LIST

Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.

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Other Colleges in MI

University of Michigan
17.9% accept · Ann Arbor

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Michigan State University is not affiliated with NextColleges.