Michigan State University

Michigan State University

(Michigan State)

Michigan State University is a pioneering land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, recognized for its top-ranked education college and leading programs in criminal justice, supply chain management, and packaging. With one of the largest campus footprints in the nation, MSU supports extensive research across the sciences, agriculture, and engineering.

Mascot: Spartan

Notable Alumni

Magic Johnson (NBA legend)Sam Raimi (Spider-Man director)Eli Broad (billionaire philanthropist)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
83%
SAT (Optional)
1080–1290
Avg GPA
3.60
Enrollment
39K
Setting
Suburban
Founded
1855

Cost

Tuition (In-State)$14K
Tuition (Out-of-State)$42K
Room & Board$12K
Est. Annual Total (In-State)$27K
Est. Annual Total (Out-of-State)$54K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

Top education college
Massive research campus
Strong criminal justice program

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 1
Conference
Big Ten Conference
View on NCAA.com

Safety

Campus SafetyModerate

Following the February 2023 mass shooting, MSU invested heavily in safety upgrades including restricted building access, 800+ classroom door locks, expanded surveillance cameras, and a 24/7 security operations center.

Neighborhood SafetyModerate

East Lansing has elevated property crime rates, particularly vehicle theft at nearly double Michigan's average. The south side of town near campus has higher crime density.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

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