Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Michigan State University is a public national university located in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Michigan State University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $61,101 10 years after enrolling, 5th in Michigan, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Michigan State University bachelor students earn 10% more than the national average. Michigan State University is ranked 5th in Michigan.
Michigan State University’s median net annual cost of $19,058 and average years to graduate of 4.6 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Michigan State University sorted by number of graduates - Advertising & PR, Comms & Media Studies, Biology, Business Administration, Psychology, Health & Fitness - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$19,058
Average years to graduate
4.6
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #94
Economic score: 1.46
Computer and Information Sciences
Rank: #94
Economic score: 1.53
Marketing
Rank: #23
Economic score: 1.63
Accounting
Rank: #85
Economic score: 1.7
Finance
Rank: #56
Economic score: 1.82
Registered Nursing
Rank: #389
Economic score: 2.51
Economics
Rank: #113
Economic score: 2.56
Hospitality Mgmt.
Rank: #15
Economic score: 2.62
Animal Sciences.
Rank: #18
Economic score: 5.23
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Rank: #24
Economic score: 6.76
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Michigan State University - Business Administration, Quantitative methods Mgmt., Mental & Social Health Services, Curriculum and Instruction, Business and Commerce, Music - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
HR Management
Rank: #6
Economic score: 0.23
Marketing
Rank: #12
Economic score: 0.34
Food Science and Tech
Rank: #2
Economic score: 0.34
Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.43
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #86
Economic score: 0.45
Educational media design
Rank: #26
Economic score: 0.45
Educ. Administration
Rank: #217
Economic score: 0.53
Special Education
Rank: #138
Economic score: 0.6
Public Health
Rank: #73
Economic score: 0.74
Education, General
Rank: #136
Economic score: 0.76
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.6 years. 83% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Michigan State University is 22% higher than the state average, and 15% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Michigan State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 22% of the measured graduating class, 13% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Michigan State University graduates within 4.8 years.
Michigan State University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Michigan State University’s economic mobility score of 20.16 is calculated by adjusting the 1.05 economic score of lower-income students by the 22% pell grant recipients within the student body. Michigan State University’s EMS of 20.16 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Michigan State University pays $19,058 a year, $10,172 less than the $29,230 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $19,058
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Michigan State University, 58% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $19,058 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 36% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,721. This is 18% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,999
Pell grants
$5,225
State grants
$1,164
Institutional grants
$10,656
Michigan State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 83% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 50,630 applicants, of which 42,150 were admitted and 9,225 enrolled. Michigan State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
96%
83%
Female
55%
59%
First time
79%
59%
In-state
80%
68%
1st generation
21%
35%
White
68%
52%
Black
8%
14%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Asian
7%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
12%
12%