Michigan State University

https://www.msu.edu

Add Comparison

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$17,739

4.78% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$23,657

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

84.8%

62,138 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

52,089

90% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

81.2%

6,753 Graduates

About

Michigan State University is a higher education institution located in Ingham County, MI. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Michigan State University were General Biological Sciences (592 degrees awarded), General Psychology (565 degrees), and Advertising (456 degrees).

In 2024, 13,017 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Michigan State University. 55.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (8,794 degrees), 9.51 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (925 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Michigan State University is $17,739, which is $−14,181 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Photo by John Martinez Pavliga

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Michigan State University is $17,739, which is $14,181 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $23,657.

In 2024, 80% of undergraduate students attending Michigan State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 34% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$17,739

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Michigan State University was $17,739. The cost of tuition at Michigan State University is $−14,181 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Michigan State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$23,657

2024 Value

3.95%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Michigan State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,657. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Michigan State University grew by 3.95%.

This chart compares the average net price of Michigan State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,754

Room and Board

$1,334

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Michigan State University was of $11,754 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 6.95% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,334. The cost of books and supplies increased by 6.38% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Michigan State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

80%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

34%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

80% of undergraduate students at Michigan State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 9.59% with respect to 2023, when 73% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Michigan State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Michigan State University received 62,138 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 5.54% annual growth. Out of those 62,138 applicants, 52,690 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 84.8% acceptance rate.

There were 52,089 students enrolled at Michigan State University in 2024. 39% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Michigan State University has an overall enrollment yield of 18.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

84.8%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

52,690

Accepted Out of 62,138

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Michigan State University was 84.8% (52,690 admissions from 62,138 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 83.9%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 5.54%, while admissions grew by 6.63%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Michigan State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

39%

Submission Percentage (2024)

3,746

Scores Submitted (2024)

39% of enrolled first-time students at Michigan State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Michigan State University had a total enrollment of 52,089 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Michigan State University is 46,862 students and the part-time enrollment is 5,227. This means that 90% of students enrolled at Michigan State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Michigan State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 64.2% White, 7.85% Asian, 6.68% Hispanic or Latino, 6.46% Black or African American, 4.14% Two or More Races, 0.276% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0614% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Michigan State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (35.2%), followed by White Male (31.7%) and Asian Male (3.92%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (29.9%), followed by White Male (20.8%) and Asian Female (4.77%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

90%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Michigan State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 52,089 students. The full-time enrollment at Michigan State University is 46,862 and the part-time enrollment is 5,227. This means that 90% of students enrolled at Michigan State University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Michigan State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

90%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Michigan State University was 90%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Michigan State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Michigan State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
33,416 enrolled students
Asian
4,087 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
3,477 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Michigan State University is 64.2% White, 7.85% Asian, 6.68% Hispanic or Latino, 6.46% Black or African American, 4.14% Two or More Races, 0.276% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0614% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 992 students (1.9%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 1,431 more women than men received degrees from Michigan State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Michigan State University is white (8,794 degrees awarded). There were 9.51 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (925 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Michigan State University is General Biological Sciences (592 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (565 degrees) and Advertising (456 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Michigan State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Agriculture (549 degrees awarded), Communications (1,001 degrees), and Biology (1,460 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Physicians

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Michigan State University are Physicians (407,775 people), Other managers (289,264 people), Postsecondary teachers (153,068 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (139,064 people), and Other Physical Scientists (131,911 people).

The most specialized majors at Michigan State University in 2024 are Agriculture (549 degrees awarded), Communications (1,001 degrees), Biology (1,460 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (232 degrees), and Legal (397 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Michigan State University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Nurse anesthetists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Michigan State University are Agriculture (549 degrees awarded), Communications (1,001 degrees), Biology (1,460 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (232 degrees), and Legal (397 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Michigan State University are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (561,562 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (437,258 people), Elementary & secondary schools (369,042 people), Offices of physicians (203,667 people), and Computer Systems Design (193,507 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Michigan State University.

Most Common (2024)

Turf & Turfgrass Management
18 degrees awarded
Electrician
18 degrees awarded
Crop Production
17 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate concentration at Michigan State University was Turf & Turfgrass Management with 18 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate programs at Michigan State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

5,793

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

7,224

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 5,793 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University, which is 0.802 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (7,224).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Michigan State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 348 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 4.09 times more than the 85 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 460 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University in General Psychology, which is 3.62 times more than the 127 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

63%

100% Completion Time

82%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 63% of students graduating from Michigan State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 82% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 83% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (87.5%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Michigan State University is Female and White (87.5% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.444% of graduates (30 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
8,794 degrees awarded
Asian
925 degrees awarded
Black or African American
779 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Michigan State University is white (8,794 degrees awarded). There were 9.51 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (925 degrees).

1.88% of degree recipients (245 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
4,987 degrees awarded
White Female
4,985 degrees awarded
White Female
4,982 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Michigan State University is white female (4,987 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (4,985 degrees).

Operations

Michigan State University has an endowment valued at nearly $4.99B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 635M (12.7%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Michigan State University had a total salary expenditure of 3.33B. Michigan State University employs 771 Professors, 731 Assistant professors and 616 Associate professors. Most academics at Michigan State University are Male Professor (537), Female Assistant professor (396), and Male Assistant professor (335).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Michigan State University are: Management, with 1,642 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,298 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 1,142 employees.

Endowment

$4.99B

2024 Endowment

8.87%

growth from 2023

Michigan State University has an endowment valued at about $4.99B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Michigan State University grew 8.87% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $4.73B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Michigan State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$528M - Federal
$25M - State
$11M - Local

As of 2024, Michigan State University received $528M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $25M from state grants and contracts, and $11M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$1.49B

2024 Salaries

8.54%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Michigan State University paid a median of $1.49B in salaries, which represents 44.8% of their overall expenditure ($3.33B) and a 8.54% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 4.06% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 8.93% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$333M

Instructional Salaries

2,552

Number of Employees

In 2024, Michigan State University paid a total of $333M to 2,552 employees working as instructors, which represents 22.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Michigan State University were Management with 1,642 employees, Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,298 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 1,142 employees.

Keep Exploring

University of Central Florida

University

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

University

Florida Institute of Technology