Applying to college is one of the biggest milestones in a student’s life — exciting, nerve-wracking and full of possibility. For many, Michigan State University (MSU) rises to the top of the list with its strong academics, Big Ten spirit and welcoming campus community.
We used the most recent data from business and educational sources like Niche, the U.S. Department of Education and MSU’s enrollment office to put together a full guide to MSU’s 2025 acceptance rate, admissions trends and key statistics to help you plan.
Michigan State University overview
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Founded: 1855
Type: Public Research University
Undergraduate Enrollment: ~39,000 students
Mascot: Sparty the Spartan
Michigan State is one of the biggest and most well-known public universities in the country, and it’s always ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. It has more than 200 academic programs and places a strong emphasis on research, making a difference in the community and coming up with new ideas.
College Raptor and Clastify say that MSU accepted about 84.8% of applicants for the fall 2024 freshman class. This is a small drop from the previous cycle, when about 87% of applicants were accepted. The university got about 62,138 applications and let in almost 52,690 students. About 9,700 of those students were first-year students.
In-state versus out-of-state
When it comes to tuition, Michigan residents still get one of the best deals in the Big Ten.
- In-state: In-state students pay about $16,000 a year in tuition and fees for the 2024–25 school year.
- Out-of-state: Out-of-state students, on the other hand, pay about $44,000.
The difference in price also shows up in how many people get in. MSU is committed to serving Michigan residents first, so in-state applicants are accepted at slightly higher rates than out-of-state students. Acceptance rates for students from other states are usually a few points lower, but both groups are still in the mid-80% range for overall acceptance.
Even though the prices are different, more and more students from other states are interested in MSU because of its national reputation, strong research programs and lively campus life.
A bigger pool of applicants
MSU has seen a big increase in the number of people applying in the last few years. The university got a little over 44,000 applications in 2018. That number had gone up to more than 62,000 by 2024, which is almost 40% more. Even though the school has grown, its acceptance rate has stayed pretty high, going from about 71% in 2018 to the mid-80s today.
An 84% acceptance rate might make it seem like getting into MSU is simple, but the data on admissions tells a different story. Most students who get into college have SAT scores between 1100 and 1310 and ACT scores between 24 and 30. A strong GPA is still an important factor.
Some programs, like Engineering, Business and Nursing, are much more competitive once students are on campus. This means that while getting into MSU is possible, doing well in some majors calls for outstanding achievement.
Declining yield rate
An additional big trend is that MSU’s yield rate is going down. This is the percentage of students who are accepted but don’t actually enroll. That number has dropped from about 28% in 2019 to between 18% and 20% now.
MSU has had to accept more students in order to keep class sizes steady. This, of course, raises the acceptance rates. The university’s policy of not requiring tests, which will last until fall 2025, might be making the pool of applicants bigger.
Tips for future applicants
- Apply early: MSU’s priority deadline (Early Action) increases chances of merit aid consideration.
- Show school spirit: Highlight why MSU is your fit — from research programs to community engagement.
- Balance academics and involvement: A mix of solid grades and leadership roles makes your profile competitive.
- Connect with admissions counselors: MSU offers webinars, campus tours and direct advisor support to help guide applicants.
What students are saying
“The students at MSU are very diversified and much friendlier than I’ve experienced at any other school. … The university puts on a lot of events for the students such as: game nights … free concerts … the list goes on.” – Anonymous on Appily Student Review
“I have had a great experience so far at Michigan State University … The professor I’ve had have been extremely inclusive and welcoming my first semester. I also really enjoy attending all the sporting events … Finally, I feel very safe on MSU’s campus with all the security procedures that are in place.” – Anonymous on Appily Student Review
