Michigan State University Acceptance Rate
East Lansing, Michigan · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 58,879
- Admitted
- 49,414
- Yield
- 19.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Michigan State University's acceptance rate has risen from 66.1% in 2014–15 to 83.9% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 33,211 to 58,879 (+77%) over that period.
Its 83.9% rate makes Michigan State University more selective than about 34% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Michigan schools, it is more selective than about 28%.
Michigan State University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 19.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 33,211 | 21,950 | 66.1% | 8,055 |
| 2015–16 | 35,300 | 23,397 | 66.3% | 8,173 |
| 2016–17 | 37,480 | 24,641 | 65.7% | 8,190 |
| 2017–18 | 36,143 | 25,860 | 71.5% | 8,366 |
| 2018–19 | 33,129 | 25,733 | 77.7% | 8,688 |
| 2019–20 | 44,322 | 31,522 | 71.1% | 8,801 |
| 2020–21 | 45,426 | 34,663 | 76.3% | 8,389 |
| 2021–22 | 50,630 | 42,150 | 83.3% | 9,225 |
| 2022–23 | 53,341 | 46,914 | 88% | 9,829 |
| 2023–24 | 58,879 | 49,414 | 83.9% | 9,533 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 31,128 | 26,438 | 84.9% |
| Men | 27,749 | 22,974 | 82.8% |
| Unknown | 2 | 2 | 100% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 580–670 | 39% |
| SAT Math | 570–680 | |
| ACT Composite | 26–31 | 7% |
How Michigan State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Michigan State University's acceptance rate?
Michigan State University's acceptance rate is 83.9% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (49,414 admitted of 58,879 applicants).
Is Michigan State University test optional?
Michigan State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Michigan State University?
Michigan State University received 58,879 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 49,414.
What SAT score do you need for Michigan State University?
Admitted students at Michigan State University typically scored 580–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 570–680 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Michigan State University getting harder to get into?
Michigan State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 66.1% in 2014–15 to 83.9% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.msu.edu/.