Is Michigan State test optional?

We haven't confirmed Michigan State's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Michigan State's acceptance rate?

85% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 52,690 of 62,138 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 76%, from 35,300 in 2015 to 62,138 in 2024, and Michigan State's admit rate went from 66% to 85%.

What ACT score do you need for Michigan State?

7% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 25–31, with a median of 28. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1100–1310 works out to about 22–28.

How many students get off the waitlist at Michigan State?

2,254 of the 4,241 students who were offered a spot were admitted, or 53%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Michigan State? (Middle 50%: 1100–1310)

First-year students at Michigan State who sent an SAT scored 1100–1310, with a median of 1210 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Michigan State admits 85% of applicants.

Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI

Where your score lands at Michigan State

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1100–1310, median 1210

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Michigan State is for you and whether to send your score.

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Michigan State by the numbers

Admit rate: 85%
Middle 50% SAT: 1100–1310
Median SAT: 1210
About on the ACT: 22–28
Sent an SAT: 52%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Michigan State admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 76%, from 35,300 in 2015 to 62,138 in 2024, and Michigan State's admit rate went from 66% to 85%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	62,138	52,690	85%
2023	58,879	49,414	84%
2022	53,341	46,914	88%
2021	50,630	42,150	83%
2020	45,426	34,663	76%
2019	44,322	31,522	71%
2018	33,129	25,733	78%
2017	36,143	25,860	72%
2016	37,480	24,641	66%
2015	35,300	23,397	66%

In fall 2024, 9,652 of the 52,690 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Michigan State

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1050Far reachHold
1050–1090ReachHold
1100–1200TargetHold
1210–1300TargetSend
1310 and upLikelySend

900100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Michigan State SAT sections and ACT

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	530	600	660
SAT Reading and Writing	550	610	660
SAT total	1100	1210	1310
ACT composite	25	28	31

Of enrolled first-year students, 52% sent an SAT and 7% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Michigan State waitlist

Waitlist

4,241 applicants were offered a spot, and 2,254 were admitted from it.

53%of students who were offered a spot got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Michigan State cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $19,680; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 81%
Median earnings: $67,253; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 43,792

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Sources

Michigan State Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Michigan State website
Michigan State University

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1100–1310, and the median was 1210. At 1210 or higher you're above half of them. Michigan State admits 85% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$