Michigan State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a major research university experience. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $63,200 within 10 years; strong 81% graduation rate.
About This School
Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan with approximately 40,922 undergraduate students enrolled. Michigan State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 85%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,680 per year. The graduation rate is 81%, and the typical graduate earns $63,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Michigan State University is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the country. After the introduction of the Morrill Act in 1862, the state designated the college a land-grant institution in 1863, making it the first of the land-grant colleges in the United States. The college became coeducational in 1870. Michigan State has facilities across the state, and over 634,000 alumni.
This is a strong option for students who want a large, well-established public university with real research roots — MSU invented the land-grant model back in 1855, and that tradition still shows up in strong programs across agriculture, education, and the sciences. The 84% acceptance rate makes it accessible, and with median debt of just $19,500 against earnings of $63,200 a decade out, the financial picture is genuinely reasonable. The main caveat is size — 40,000+ undergrads means you'll need to be proactive about finding your footing, but the 91% freshman retention rate suggests most students who show up do stick around and find their place.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (40,922 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Michigan
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · Public
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI · Public
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI · Public
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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