Michigan State University

https://www.msu.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$15,966

2.64% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$8,738

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.827%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

83.3%

50,630 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

49,659

86.9% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

82.3%

6,455 Graduates

About

Michigan State University is a higher education institution located in Ingham County, MI. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Michigan State University were Advertising (565 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (477 degrees), and General Psychology (402 degrees).

In 2021, 13,487 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Michigan State University. 54.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 45.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (9,073 degrees), 10.5 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (867 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Michigan State University is $15,966, which is $−13,026 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by John Martinez Pavliga

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Michigan State University is $15,966, which is $−13,026 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $8,738.

In 2021, 59% of undergraduate students attending Michigan State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 37% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$15,966

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Michigan State University was $15,966. The cost of tuition at Michigan State University is $−13,026 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

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

Average Net Price

$8,738

2021 Value

47.5%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Michigan State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $8,738. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Michigan State University grew by 47.5%.

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

$10,522

Room and Board

$1,154

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Michigan State University was of $10,522 in 2021. The cost of room and board did not change between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,154. The cost of books and supplies increased by 4.15% 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

59%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

37%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

59% of undergraduate students at Michigan State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 1.67% with respect to 2020, when 60% 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.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.827%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Michigan State University was 0.827%, which represents 68 out of the 8221 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Michigan State University received 50,630 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 11.5% annual growth. Out of those 50,630 applicants, 42,150 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 83.3% acceptance rate.

There were 49,659 students enrolled at Michigan State University in 2021. 48% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Michigan State University has an overall enrollment yield of 21.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

83.3%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

42,150

Accepted Out of 50,630

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Michigan State University was 83.3% (42,150 admissions from 50,630 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 76.3%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 11.5%, while admissions grew by 21.6%..

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

48%

Submission Percentage (2021)

4,384

Scores Submitted (2021)

48% of enrolled first-time students at Michigan State University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Michigan State University had a total enrollment of 49,659 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Michigan State University is 43,142 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,517. This means that 86.9% of students enrolled at Michigan State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Michigan State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 66% White, 7.12% Asian, 6.92% Black or African American, 6.01% Hispanic or Latino, 3.39% Two or More Races, 0.228% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0564% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Michigan State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (35.3%), followed by White Male (32.2%) and Black or African American Female (4.48%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (33.1%), followed by White Male (23.8%) and Asian Female (4.02%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

86.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Michigan State University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 49,659 students. The full-time enrollment at Michigan State University is 43,142 and the part-time enrollment is 6,517. This means that 86.9% of students enrolled at Michigan State University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% 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

92%

2021 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 92%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), 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 (2021)

White
32,759 enrolled students
Asian
3,538 enrolled students
Black or African American
3,438 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Michigan State University is 66% White, 7.12% Asian, 6.92% Black or African American, 6.01% Hispanic or Latino, 3.39% Two or More Races, 0.228% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0564% 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 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% 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, 1,010 students (2.03%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 1,223 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 (9,073 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (867 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Michigan State University is Advertising (565 degrees awarded), followed by General Biological Sciences (477 degrees) and General Psychology (402 degrees).

In 2021, 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 (521 degrees awarded), Communications (1,336 degrees), and Biology (1,401 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 (395,513 people), Other managers (265,692 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (171,049 people), Postsecondary teachers (158,581 people), and Registered nurses (107,156 people).

The most specialized majors at Michigan State University in 2021 are Agriculture (521 degrees awarded), Communications (1,336 degrees), Biology (1,401 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (196 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (442 degrees) (as of 2021).

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, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Nurse anesthetists, Physicians, and Chief executives & legislators

The most specialized majors at Michigan State University are Agriculture (521 degrees awarded), Communications (1,336 degrees), Biology (1,401 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (196 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (442 degrees) (as of 2021).

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 (553,299 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (430,653 people), Elementary & secondary schools (395,412 people), Offices of physicians (206,306 people), and Computer Systems Design (160,064 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 (2021)

Advertising
565 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
477 degrees awarded
General Psychology
402 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Michigan State University was Advertising with 565 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Michigan State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

6,132

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

7,355

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 6,132 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University, which is 0.834 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (7,355).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 274 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University in Logistics, Materials, & Supply Chain Management, which is 1.58 times more than the 173 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 341 degrees were awarded to men at Michigan State University in General Psychology, which is 3.92 times more than the 87 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

56%

100% Completion Time

81%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 56% of students graduating from Michigan State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 81% 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 (87.4%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Michigan State University is Female and White (87.4% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

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, 1.05% of graduates (68 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
9,073 degrees awarded
Black or African American
867 degrees awarded
Asian
803 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Michigan State University is white (9,073 degrees awarded). There were 10.5 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (867 degrees).

1.03% of degree recipients (139 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
4,987 degrees awarded
White Male
4,086 degrees awarded
Black or African American Female
559 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Michigan State University is white female (4,987 degrees awarded). There were 1.22 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (4086 degrees).

Operations

Michigan State University has an endowment valued at nearly $4.43B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 1.2B (27%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Michigan State University had a total salary expenditure of 883M. Michigan State University employs 781 Professors, 703 Assistant professors and 616 Associate professors. Most academics at Michigan State University are Male Professor (567), Female Assistant professor (376), and Male Associate professor (333).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Michigan State University are: Management, with 1,378 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 1,238 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,148 employees.

Endowment

$4.43B

2021 Endowment

27.5%

growth from 2020

Michigan State University has an endowment valued at about $4.43B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Michigan State University grew 27.5% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $4.04B 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

$385M - Federal
$16.4M - State
$9.42M - Local

As of 2021, Michigan State University received $385M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $16.4M from state grants and contracts, and $9.42M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$1.21B

2021 Salaries

5.18%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Michigan State University paid a median of $1.21B in salaries, which represents 137% of their overall expenditure ($883M) and a 5.18% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$284M

Instructional Salaries

2,459

Number of Employees

In 2021, Michigan State University paid a total of $284M to 2,459 employees working as instructors, which represents 23.4% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

781 Employees

Management

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1,378 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Michigan State University were Professor with 781 employees, Assistant professor with 703 employees, and Associate professor with 616 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Michigan State University were Management with 1,378 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 1,238 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,148 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Assistant professor
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Michigan State University was Male Professor with 567 employees, Female Assistant professor with 376 employees, and Male Associate professor with 333 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Michigan State University.