Michigan State University
#1 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $67,253 A
- Top 9% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $19,680 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Communications Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,648,561.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 65% more than the national college median.
-
A 81% graduation rate — 43% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $21.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.9%
- Top 26%
- Patents
- 640
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #122
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 1,311
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 53/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Michigan State University Matters
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, MI ranked #122 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 9% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 40,922
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Engineering
Why students choose Michigan State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1180–1360. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,680 a year after grants and scholarships — 15% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $67,253 ten years after enrolling — 65% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 54% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.48 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 40,000 students, Michigan State University is a vibrant choice for those looking to dive into fields like Business, Biology, Engineering, and Social Sciences. The acceptance rate of 85% means it's accessible, welcoming a diverse range of students who are eager to grow academically and socially. Here, you’ll find a mix of rigorous academic programs and a lively campus life that suits both serious scholars and those looking to make connections.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a median income of $67,253 just ten years post-degree. This indicates that graduates are moving into steady careers that often lead to upward mobility, although specific statistics on mobility are not available. The cost of education is manageable, especially considering the average net price of $19,680 after aid, which makes it an appealing option for many.
When it comes to affordability, the median debt sits at $23,250, which is relatively reasonable given the earning potential. Students who thrive here often take advantage of the large network and resources available, whether through campus organizations or internship opportunities. Overall, Michigan State University attracts those who are ready to engage in a dynamic environment and are focused on building a future that balances education with real-world applicability.
Rankings
- #1 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan
- #1 Best MBA Programs in Michigan
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
- #3 Best Colleges in Michigan
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #3 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #4 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Michigan State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Michigan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in East Lansing, Michigan, Michigan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,269. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 90%
- SAT Average
- 1269
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1180–1360
- ACT Range
- 25–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 86%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,468
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 21%
- Applicants
- 53,341
- Admitted
- 46,914
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Michigan State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 18% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 18%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 52%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 58% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Michigan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Michigan State University is $43,842, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,680. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,068 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $16,458
- Out-of-State
- $43,842
- Avg Net Price
- $19,680
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,068
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,830
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,521
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,546
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Michigan State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Michigan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Michigan State University earn a median of $67,253, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $55,084
- 8 Years
- $62,777
- 10 Years
- $67,253
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (4,503)
- 58%
- 100% (4,503)
- 58%
- 100% (4,503)
- 58%
- 100% (4,503)
- 58%
How Michigan Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Michigan State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Michigan State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,680/year ($78,720 total). Graduates earn $67,253 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,727,281 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,648,561 (21.9× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $78,720
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,727,281
- Net Return
- $1,648,561
- ROI Multiple
- 21.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,680
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Michigan State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Michigan State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.39%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $163,581
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Michigan State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Michigan State University at #122 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 53/100, teaching at 50/100, and citation impact of 64/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #122
- Teaching
- 50.4
- Research
- 52.7
- Citations
- 63.7
- International
- 30.4
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Michigan State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 640 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 53/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.93%
- Top 26% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 640
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1,311
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 53/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 64/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.57%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-163,574,679
Top Programs
The fields Michigan State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 15% $74,862 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $45,173 early-career
- Communications 11% $49,706 early-career
- Engineering 8% $95,213 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $58,011 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $89,460 early-career
- Psychology 5% $36,281 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $46,008 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Michigan State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Michigan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in East Lansing, Michigan, Michigan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,269. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Michigan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Michigan State University is $43,842, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,680. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,068 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Michigan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Michigan State University earn a median of $67,253, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Michigan State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Michigan State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. About 4.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $120,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Michigan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Michigan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Michigan State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Michigan State University at #122 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 53/100, teaching at 50/100, and citation impact of 64/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does Michigan State University offer Early Decision?
No. Michigan State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Michigan State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 58% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Michigan State University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Michigan State University?
About 18% of admitted students choose to enroll at Michigan State University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Michigan State University.
- Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Close peer81% grad $63,742 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · Close peer85% grad $69,020 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · Close peer67% grad $59,979 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO · Close peer75% grad $69,738 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR · Close peer70% grad $64,010 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Michigan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Michigan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note