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Michigan State University acceptance rate & admissions

Michigan State University admits 85% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 49,414 of 58,879 applicants were admitted and 9,533 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 1180–1360 on the SAT or 25–31 on the ACT.

Check your chances at MSU → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
85%

More selective than 24% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

39% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
19%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose MSU over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied58,879
Admitted49,414
Enrolled9,533

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What MSU weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as MSU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
Important
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • Essay
  • Extracurricular activities
Considered
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Interview
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest
Not considered
  • Class rank
  • Recommendations
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Waitlist
Yes

4,241 offered a spot, 2,254 admitted.

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

MSU SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, MSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing590680
SAT math590680
ACT composite2531
SAT total (approx.)11801360

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

MSU admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202485%590–680590–68025–31College Scorecard
Fall 202384%580–670570–68026–31IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is MSU compared with other Michigan colleges?

MSU has the 32nd-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
28Grand Valley State University83%67%$16,317
29The University of Olivet83%35%$21,393
30Northern Michigan University84%52%$14,085
31Western Michigan University85%58%$15,273
32Michigan State University85%81%$19,680
33Oakland University88%58%$9,120
34Central Michigan University90%59%$17,597
35Aquinas College90%65%$16,626
36Ferris State University91%47%$8,624

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →

Who enrolls at MSU

First-year students who return for year two90%
First-year students from Michigan76%
Pell Grant recipients20%
First-generation students21%
Women / men52% / 48%
International students5%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

MSU admissions questions

What is the MSU acceptance rate?

Michigan State University accepts 85% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 49,414 of 58,879 applicants were admitted.

Does MSU require the SAT or ACT?

Michigan State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 39% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for MSU?

The middle 50% of Michigan State University enrolled first-year students scored 1180–1360 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at MSU?

19% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (9,533 of 49,414).

What does MSU look for in applicants?

Michigan State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses, essay, extracurricular activities. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, interview, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is MSU getting harder to get into?

Michigan State University accepted 85% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 84% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; MSU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Michigan State University overview