Michigan State University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is MSU to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Michigan State University (MSU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. MSU's acceptance rate is 84.80% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 62,138 students applied and 52,690 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into MSU.

To apply to MSU, personal statement (or essay) is required to submit and recommendations is not required but considered. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

Explore Michigan State University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, MSU's acceptance rate is 84.80% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 18.32%. 29,049 men and 33,067 women applied to MSU and 24,505 men and 28,167 women students were accepted.

Among them, 4,456 men and 5,193 women were enrolled in MSU. You can explore the MSU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at MSU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants62,13829,04933,06700
Admitted52,69024,50528,16700
Enrolled9,6524,4565,19300
Acceptance Rate 84.80%84.36%85.18%--
Yield 18.32%18.18%18.44%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Michigan State University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 3,746 students (39% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 651 students (7% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at MSU.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,260, including 630 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 630 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 680 and the 25th percentile is 590. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 680 and the 25th percentile is 590.

The median ACT composite score is 28, with a 75th percentile score of 31 and a 25th percentile score of 25 at MSU. The median ACT Math score is 26 and the median ACT English score is 28.

How competitive is MSU's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Michigan State University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,261, ACT: 27 - public research university with very high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at MSU
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,1801,2601,360
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing590630680
SAT Math590630680
ACT Composite252831
ACT Math242629
ACT English242832

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Michigan State University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 9,652 first-year students enrolled in MSU. The proportion of full-time students is 98.97% and part-time students is 1.03%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 46.17% and women students is 53.80%.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at MSU.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at MSU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total9,6524,4565,19300
Full-time9,5534,4165,13400
Part-time99405900

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, Completion of College Preparatory Program, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at MSU. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Michigan State University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

MSU Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankNot Considered
High School Record (or Transcript)Not Considered
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsConsidered, if submitted
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesNot Considered
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Considered, if submitted
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusNot Considered

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to MSU:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: https://admissions.msu.edu/
  • Online Application: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, 2-Years Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

MSU Admission Frequently Asked Questions

MSU is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 84.80%.
MSU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to MSU is 1,260, and the average ACT score is 28. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, MSU requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
MSU recommends submitting a recommendation letter, but it is not strictly required.
MSU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, MSU requires applicants to submit high school GPA as part of the admission process.
Yes, MSU requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for MSU is 1465 and 4-digit ACT code is 2032.

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