Michigan State University
PublicEast Lansing, MI
Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first U.S. institution to teach scientific agriculture. Following passage of the federal Morrill Act in 1862, MSU became the nation's pioneer land-grant university and the model for the land-grant system later adopted nationwide. It was founded to provide practical, accessible education regardless of social class.
Admissions
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Nov 1, 2026
- Regular Decision: Apr 1, 2027MSU accepts applications until this date, but space has run out in recent years. It recommends applying by the Nov 1 Early Action deadline.
Confirm on Michigan State University's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $27,384 more per year in tuition and fees (2.5x the in-state rate).
Rate for freshmen; sophomores, juniors and seniors pay more. Business and engineering students pay an extra program fee.
Tuition & fees are Michigan State University's own published 2026-27 rates (source); other figures are from the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Where do you stand against Michigan State University's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Michigan State University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Michigan State University's acceptance rate?
Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI admits approximately 85% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Michigan State University?
Admitted students at Michigan State University typically score between 1180–1360 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Michigan State University?
Admitted students at Michigan State University typically score between 25–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Michigan State University cost?
Michigan State University's total cost of attendance is reported at $32,198 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
What is out-of-state tuition at Michigan State University?
For 2026-27, Michigan State University's tuition and required fees are $45,455 for out-of-state students and $18,071 for in-state students -- $27,384 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for Michigan State University?
Michigan State University's deadlines are Early Action Nov 1, 2026; Regular Decision Apr 1, 2027, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Michigan State University require students to live on campus?
No -- Michigan State University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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Lake Superior State University
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