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Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a public campus in East Lansing proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$8,119

family income
under $30k

$13,980

$30–48k

$20,378

$48–75k

$25,940

$75–110k

$28,327

over $110k

Average net price

$19,6802023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Michigan State University rose from $13,746 (2008) to $19,680 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$13,746
2009	$14,137
2010	$14,568
2011	$15,897
2012	$16,507
2013	$16,382
2014	$16,788
2015	$17,120
2016	$18,576
2017	$18,984
2018	$19,173
2019	$19,058
2020	$10,925
2021	$19,449
2022	$20,751
2023	$19,680

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$32,1982024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Michigan State University rose from $19,930 (2009) to $32,198 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$19,930
2010	$20,695
2011	$21,403
2012	$22,946
2013	$23,740
2014	$24,323
2015	$24,976
2016	$25,809
2017	$27,006
2018	$28,194
2019	$28,402
2020	$28,626
2021	$20,623
2022	$29,204
2023	$30,528
2024	$32,198

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$5,170	$12,835
2001	$5,626	$13,974
2002	$6,100	$15,168
2003	$6,633	$16,663
2004	$6,999	$17,844
2005	$8,172	$19,925
2006	$8,647	$21,292
2007	$9,690	$23,550
2008	$10,214	$25,672
2013	$12,862	$33,750
2014	$13,200	$34,965
2015	$13,560	$36,360
2016	$14,062	$37,890
2017	$14,460	$39,406
2018	$14,460	$39,766
2019	$14,460	$39,766
2020	$14,460	$39,766
2021	$14,750	$40,562
2022	$15,372	$41,958
2023	$15,988	$43,372

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Michigan State University reports published tuition by residency: $16,458 in-state versus $43,842 out-of-state — a $27,384 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Michigan State University reports 40,922 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

80.7% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Michigan State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

80.7%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Michigan State University rose from 66.2% (entered 1991) to 80.7% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	66.2%
1992 cohort	66.4%
1993 cohort	64%
1994 cohort	66%
1995 cohort	68.5%
1996 cohort	69%
1997 cohort	69.5%
1998 cohort	71.2%
1999 cohort	73.8%
2000 cohort	74%
2001 cohort	74.2%
2002 cohort	75.2%
2003 cohort	77%
2004 cohort	77%
2005 cohort	77.1%
2006 cohort	79.1%
2007 cohort	77.4%
2008 cohort	78.9%
2009 cohort	77.2%
2010 cohort	78.3%
2011 cohort	79.3%
2012 cohort	80%
2013 cohort	80.7%
2014 cohort	81.3%
2015 cohort	82.1%
2016 cohort	81.6%
2017 cohort	82.2%
2018 cohort	80.7%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$15,250	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$16,250	$4,596
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$16,250	$5,372
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$15,810	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$15,582	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,564	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$15,341	$4,885
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$15,125	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$15,398	$4,105
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$15,812	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$16,028	$4,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,757	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,760	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$22,622	$7,280
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$24,432	$7,455
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$25,000	$7,554
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$25,215	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,250	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$25,200	$10,773
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$25,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$24,250	$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$23,733	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$23,250	$10,000

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$55,084

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$62,777

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$67,253

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Michigan State University admitted 52,690 of 62,138 applicants in Fall 2024. The 84.8% rate describes that application pool.

84.8%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $15,988 in-state tuition · 2023–24 40,922 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1180–13601600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Michigan State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Michigan State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 590–680 and Math was 590–680 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1180–1360 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	590	630	680
SAT Math	590	630	680
ACT Composite	25	28	31

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Michigan State University received 62,138 applications and admitted 52,690 (84.8%), with 9,652 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

84.8%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	65.1%
Fall 2002	67.3%
Fall 2003	70.8%
Fall 2004	79.4%
Fall 2005	76.4%
Fall 2006	73.3%
Fall 2007	73.8%
Fall 2008	70%
Fall 2009	72.4%
Fall 2010	70%
Fall 2011	72.9%
Fall 2012	70.6%
Fall 2013	68.7%
Fall 2014	66.1%
Fall 2015	66.3%
Fall 2016	65.7%
Fall 2017	71.5%
Fall 2018	77.7%
Fall 2019	71.1%
Fall 2020	76.3%
Fall 2021	83.3%
Fall 2022	87.9%
Fall 2023	83.9%
Fall 2024	84.8%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1180–1360Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1000	1250
Fall 2002	1010	1250
Fall 2003	1020	1270
Fall 2004	1005	1270
Fall 2005	1010	1270
Fall 2006	1030	1290
Fall 2007	1000	1270
Fall 2008	1020	1280
Fall 2009	1010	1270
Fall 2010	980	1280
Fall 2011	980	1270
Fall 2012	970	1260
Fall 2013	970	1270
Fall 2014	970	1270
Fall 2015	980	1260
Fall 2016	990	1260
Fall 2017	1100	1320
Fall 2018	1110	1310
Fall 2019	1100	1320
Fall 2020	1100	1300
Fall 2021	1100	1320
Fall 2022	1160	1360
Fall 2023	1150	1350
Fall 2024	1180	1360

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

25–31Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	22	27
Fall 2002	22	27
Fall 2003	22	27
Fall 2004	22	27
Fall 2005	22	27
Fall 2006	22	27
Fall 2007	23	27
Fall 2008	23	27
Fall 2009	23	27
Fall 2010	23	28
Fall 2011	23	28
Fall 2012	23	28
Fall 2013	23	28
Fall 2014	23	28
Fall 2015	23	28
Fall 2016	24	29
Fall 2017	23	28
Fall 2018	23	29
Fall 2019	23	29
Fall 2020	23	29
Fall 2021	23	29
Fall 2022	25	31
Fall 2023	26	31
Fall 2024	25	31

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

40,922Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Michigan State University rose from 27,902 (Fall 2002) to 40,922 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	27,902
Fall 2003	34,617
Fall 2004	35,107
Fall 2005	35,330
Fall 2006	35,521
Fall 2007	35,772
Fall 2008	35,854
Fall 2009	36,025
Fall 2010	35,628
Fall 2011	36,158
Fall 2012	36,976
Fall 2013	37,622
Fall 2014	38,395
Fall 2015	38,853
Fall 2016	38,851
Fall 2017	38,770
Fall 2018	39,208
Fall 2019	38,950
Fall 2020	38,413
Fall 2021	38,424
Fall 2022	39,021
Fall 2023	40,243
Fall 2024	40,922

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

90%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Michigan State University has held near 90% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	90%
Fall 2004 cohort	90%
Fall 2005 cohort	90%
Fall 2006 cohort	91%
Fall 2007 cohort	91%
Fall 2008 cohort	91%
Fall 2009 cohort	91%
Fall 2010 cohort	91%
Fall 2011 cohort	91%
Fall 2012 cohort	91%
Fall 2013 cohort	92%
Fall 2014 cohort	92%
Fall 2015 cohort	91%
Fall 2016 cohort	91%
Fall 2017 cohort	92%
Fall 2018 cohort	91%
Fall 2019 cohort	91%
Fall 2020 cohort	92%
Fall 2021 cohort	89%
Fall 2022 cohort	91%
Fall 2023 cohort	90%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about Michigan State University

Faculty pay at Michigan State University averages $161,616 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Michigan State University as a primarily residential campus of 40,922 undergraduates — and 90% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Michigan State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1180–1360 — their midpoint is above the MI four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Michigan State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Michigan State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Michigan State University84.8%

Michigan median79.2%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Michigan State University$16,458

Michigan median$24,944

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Michigan State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Michigan State University$67,253

Michigan median$54,739

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Michigan State University, Michigan and national reference values
Metric & basis	Michigan State University	Michigan median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	84.8%	79.2%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$16,458	$24,944	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$67,253	$54,739	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Michigan State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Michigan State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 84 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$116,905
Computer Engineering	$104,627
Engineering, General	$102,301
Chemical Engineering	$102,223
Finance and Financial Management Services	$102,017
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$100,481
Mechanical Engineering	$97,946
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$97,236
Accounting and Related Services	$96,093
Materials Engineering	$95,761
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician	$95,387
Engineering-Related Fields	$94,143
Statistics	$93,930
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$91,187
Civil Engineering	$90,650
Marketing	$90,453
Agricultural Engineering	$86,498
Human Resources Management and Services	$85,886
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$80,129
Engineering, Other	$79,609
Economics	$79,428
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$75,147
International Relations and National Security Studies	$74,709
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	$73,880
Non-Professional Legal Studies	$72,414
Mathematics	$72,226
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning	$71,158
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions	$70,940
Food Science and Technology	$70,380
Hospitality Administration/Management	$69,651
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$69,300
Agricultural Business and Management	$69,108
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy	$68,913
Soil Sciences	$67,666
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$67,290
Political Science and Government	$67,032
Nutrition Sciences	$66,437
Chemistry	$65,983
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services	$65,667
International/Globalization Studies	$64,372
Biology, General	$64,018
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$63,419
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$62,715
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences	$62,448
Sociology	$62,204
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology	$61,953
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	$61,309
Communication and Media Studies	$60,807
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$60,728
Journalism	$59,498
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$59,315
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services	$58,989
Social Sciences, General	$58,797
Public Policy Analysis	$58,535
Special Education and Teaching	$58,522
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$58,046
Social Work	$57,321
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies	$56,662
Geography and Cartography	$56,515
Psychology, General	$56,040
Forestry	$55,724
Genetics	$55,404
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$55,159
Animal Sciences	$54,751
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	$53,740
Design and Applied Arts	$53,250
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$53,183
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$52,496
Education, General	$52,243
Music	$52,132
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	$51,658
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$51,436
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$50,127
Fine and Studio Arts	$50,098
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management	$49,948
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management	$49,377
English Language and Literature, General	$49,154
Plant Sciences	$47,404
History	$47,224
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians	$46,669
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$45,167
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	$42,820
Zoology/Animal Biology	$41,768
Anthropology	$41,512

These 84 fields listed for Michigan State University measure earnings after completion. The $67,253 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 21 additional Michigan State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Michigan State University report?

Michigan State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1180–1360 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Michigan State University's acceptance rate?

84.8% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 52,690 admitted from 62,138 applicants.

How much does Michigan State University cost?

In-state tuition is $16,458; out-of-state students pay $43,842. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Michigan State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $67,253. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Michigan

University of Michigan-Flint — 70.5% admitted
Madonna University — 63.4% admitted
Northern Michigan University — 84% admitted
Northwood University — 64.5% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.