Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan · Public · 84.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 79/100 · Strong Value
Michigan State University scores 79 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, anchored by an 80.7% completion rate, $45,200 median 6-year earnings, a 6.8-year payback period, and an overall earnings premium of 0.41. Net price of $19,680 is moderate for a flagship public research university. With 40,922 undergraduates, MSU is one of the largest universities in the country, giving students access to an exceptionally broad program portfolio. Computer and Information Sciences leads the portfolio at 372 graduates, $86,192 year-one, $116,905 year-four, and a B+ ROI grade. The engineering cluster (Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Chemical) all carry B+ grades with year-one earnings of $79,000-$84,000. Business Administration (448 graduates, $71,253 year-one) and Finance (350 graduates, $68,103 year-one) are strong-performing, high-volume programs. The aggregate $45,200 median earnings reflect the drag from large lower-earning populations in biology (516 graduates, F-grade ROI), psychology (496 graduates, D-grade), neuroscience (247 graduates, D-grade), and theatre (D-grade). The in-state tuition of $16,458 makes MSU a compelling value for Michigan residents who enter high-earning fields.
Michigan State University scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Michigan State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,458/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $43,842/yr |
| Average net price | $19,680/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $78,720 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,253 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 80.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 40,922 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Michigan State University is $16,458/year ($43,842/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,680/year, or roughly $78,720 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,068/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,546/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,253 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.51 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,068 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,830 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,521 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,703 |
| $110,001+ | $28,546 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $7,068 net price -- one of the lowest in the CampusROI database for a flagship public research university. MSU's aid program for its lowest-income students is genuinely strong. At $7,068 per year, even mid-range programs produce rapid payback. Engineering and CS graduates at this price level have among the best ROI available at any university in the Midwest.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $16,521 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $22,703. These are moderate net prices for a flagship research institution. Middle-income families choosing between MSU and out-of-state private schools will generally find MSU's value superior if their child is headed into engineering, business, or CS.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $28,546 -- roughly $114,000 over four years. At $45,200 median 6-year earnings and a 6.8-year payback on average, the full-pay case is solid for STEM and business graduates. Families paying full price for soft majors at MSU will face a longer payback than the aggregate suggests.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Michigan State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $64,018 | F |
| Psychology | $56,040 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $91,187 | B+ |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $69,300 | C+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $116,905 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $102,017 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,807 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $67,290 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,946 | B+ |
| Economics | $79,428 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences is MSU's highest-earning program by volume: 372 graduates, $86,192 year-one, $116,905 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.279 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $24,022 is in line with the institutional average. MSU's CS program feeds major tech employers in Michigan and nationally. The four-year trajectory to $117k reflects strong placement in software engineering and systems roles.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is MSU's highest-enrollment high-earning program at 448 graduates. Year-one earnings of $71,253 and year-four of $91,187 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.326 (ROI grade B+). MSU's Broad College of Business has strong employer relationships in the Midwest. Finance (350 graduates, $68,103 year-one, $102,017 year-four) is a sister program with even stronger long-run outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (279 graduates) earns B+ ROI: $80,259 year-one, $97,946 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.299 with median debt of $24,000. MSU's engineering programs connect directly to Michigan's automotive and manufacturing sectors. The near-six-figure four-year earnings reflect the premium on mechanical engineers in this region.
Biology
Biology is MSU's highest-volume program at 516 graduates, and it carries an F-grade ROI: $26,435 year-one, $64,018 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.016 with median debt of $26,849. Near-term earnings of $26k reflect the large proportion of biology graduates entering graduate or professional school, which depresses the Scorecard's six-year figure. The four-year trajectory to $64k suggests eventual recovery, but the near-term debt burden is real for graduates who enter the workforce directly.
Psychology
Psychology (496 graduates) earns D-grade ROI: $30,164 year-one, $56,040 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.837 with median debt of $25,250. This is one of MSU's highest-enrollment programs and one of its weakest by near-term ROI. Students planning on graduate study may tolerate this; those entering the workforce directly after graduation face a challenging debt-to-earnings situation early in their careers.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 84.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 590-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 40,922 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,468 |
MSU admits 84.8% of applicants. SAT 590-680 Math and 590-680 Reading, ACT 25-31, describe the middle range. Admission is accessible for a flagship research university, but program-specific competition (honors, engineering, business) may be more selective than the overall rate suggests.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
MSU's Scorecard peers include University of Arizona, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Texas-Arlington. At ROI 79, MSU is in the upper tier of large public flagship universities on this site. Its 80.7% completion rate is above several peers in this category. The 6.8-year payback is competitive with UC-Boulder and stronger than UT-Arlington. MSU's primary weakness relative to its peer group is the low repayment rate (74.5%), which reflects the earnings drag from large soft-major graduate populations.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University (this school) | 79 | $19,680 | $67,253 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 80 | $25,346 | $69,738 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 76 | $13,951 | $63,199 |
| University of Arizona | 75 | $16,674 | $59,979 |
| Central Michigan University | 51 | $17,597 | $55,874 |
| Eastern Michigan University | 42 | $15,407 | $51,793 |
Who Thrives Here
MSU admits 84.8% of applicants -- moderately accessible for a flagship research university. SAT mid-range is 590-680 Math and 590-680 Reading; ACT composite 25-31. Enrollment of 40,922 means students must be self-directed; the institutional scale offers breadth but less personal attention than smaller universities. Pell grant rate of 20.1% is moderate. Strong fit for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, or agriculture -- all programs where MSU has deep alumni networks and employer relationships.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Michigan State University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $19,680 per year ($78,720 over four years), graduates earn a median of $67,253 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.8 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 80.7% graduation rate.
Median debt of $23,250 against $67,253 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.