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 Reviews

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”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship
  • 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.

Michigan State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Michigan State University?

221 Students rated Michigan State University

Hailey - 12/11/2024

I loved my experience at Michigan State University. The college is beautiful and historic, with many updated facilities. There is truly space for everyone and their interests, with tons of social and academic clubs to join. Football game days are huge and there is always an overwhelming sense of community. The academics are stellar. When you attend a school that has a recognizable name, internships and post grad job opportunities are endless. One of my favorite parts of campus was the botanical garden. It is incredible to have a beautiful display of nature on campus. I highly recommend MSU. Go Green!

Madelyn - 11/26/2024

It is difficult to find your place within the collage and it is a major culture shock if you are from a small town like me. some people here are super helpful while others seem to hate their jobs, you have to be able to advocate for yourself and find people willing to help.

Chloe - 06/24/2024

I am currently a rising sophomore at Michigan State University. Coming into college last fall I was skeptical. Michigan State wasn't my top choice as I knew little about campus life or the environment. But now I know it was the best choice. Michigan State has a great work-life balance. Their programs and facilities are top-tier, with small and big class sizes depending on your liking, numerous academic and social opportunities for all majors, and great places to have fun( with the campus on Grand River, there are many restaurants and shops). It is almost always easy to find your perfect community at Michigan State, and I'm so lucky to call it my home.

Holly - 05/29/2024

I love how beautiful the campus is. The nice parks and wonderful recreational activities are very appealing and the students are also very kind and helpful. I enjoyed walking around, meeting people, and touring the facilities. My elder brother also goes to MSU, so I've had lots of time to get to know the area and fall in love with it.

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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