Michigan State University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Michigan State University (MSU) is 87.95%. This means that 88 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Michigan State University Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as MSU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Michigan State University Admission Requirements
MSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at MSU is 3.72. MSU is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.42 and 3.72, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.32 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into MSU Without SAT Or ACT?: Michigan State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Michigan State University (MSU) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Michigan State University Average SAT Score: 1273
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Michigan State University is 1273 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Michigan State University SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to well to score 1273 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1360 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Michigan State University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1160, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to MSU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Michigan State University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 635 | 580 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1273 | 1160 | 1360 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1160 then you are below most of the admitted students at MSU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1360 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Michigan State University (MSU) with a 1350 SAT?
With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Michigan State University (MSU) are good but the admission staff at MSU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Michigan State University (MSU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at MSU is 28.
Michigan State University ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Michigan State University Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on the ACT.
Michigan State University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 28 | 24 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 31 |
Can I get into Michigan State University with a 31 ACT?
With a 31 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Michigan State University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Michigan State University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 28.MSU Profile
Name: Michigan State University (MSU)
City: East Lansing
URL: https://www.msu.edu/
State: Michigan
Type: Public
Zip: 48824-1046
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from MSU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Michigan State University is USD: 29204. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Michigan State University is USD: 19449
How can I get a scholarship?
21.64% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 34.09 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to MSU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Michigan State University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist MSU as your choice in the form.
How much a MSU Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the MSU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 67253. An average MSU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Michigan State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Michigan State University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | University of Alabama in Huntsville, AL | 1259 | 28 |
| Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | University of Arizona, AZ | 1229 | 25 |
| Hendrix College | Hendrix College, AR | 1246 | 27 |
| Biola University | Biola University, CA | 1250 | 27 |
| California Lutheran University | California Lutheran University, CA | 1258 | 28 |
| Whittier College | Whittier College, CA | 1231 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Eckerd College, FL | 1238 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, FL | 1237 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | University of South Florida, FL | 1235 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Michigan State University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Michigan State University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ | 1278 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | University of the Pacific, CA | 1276 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | University of Central Florida, FL | 1281 | 27 |
| Rollins College | Rollins College, FL | 1265 | 27 |
| Agnes Scott College | Agnes Scott College, GA | 1276 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Michigan State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | The University of Alabama, AL | 1304 | 27 |
| Chapman University | Chapman University, CA | 1316 | 29 |
| University of San Francisco | University of San Francisco, CA | 1323 | 29 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Thomas Aquinas College, CA | 1328 | 30 |
| University of Denver | University of Denver, CO | 1348 | 30 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
Full list of All degree programs offered by Michigan State University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.