Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$16,655
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$6,927
$30k - $48k
$15,170
$48k - $75k
$20,557
$75k - $110k
$25,297
$110k+
$27,534
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$16,617
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$42,607
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$10,990
Books and Supplies
$1,254
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
57%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
22%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,786
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
22%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,103
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$11,079
Students receiving state aid
9%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$1,269
Students receiving federal aid
30%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,103
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$150,972,496
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$125,967,672

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
41%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,718
Students receiving federal loans
39%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,259
Average Other Loans Per Year
$18,510
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$20,500
Loan Default Rate
5%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$231

What Students Are Saying

As a public college, the cost of tuition is much less than smaller private schools. In addition, a larger, more notable college, like MSU, can offer students greater opportunities than a smaller private school. Famous for their Study Abroad program, Michigan State students have traveled to places all over the world, such as India, Singapore, Jamaica, France, Italy, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the list goes on ... One thing's for sure at Michigan State, you get what you pay for!
Paulina from zeeland, MI
Being an out of state student makes it somewhat difficult to afford Michigan State. I cannot speak for the in-state students, but the tuition can be quite pricey. However, I have learned a lesson from someone very close to me. She told me that no matter the cost, your education is worth it. I completely agree with her now that I am experiencing it.
Tyler from Toledo, OH
I have to admit, Michigan State isn’t the cheapest place. Buuuuut, it provides many services that can help you get financial help and aid. There are many merit based and need based scholarships given, and many loan services that can help you pay for tuition and such. Also, MSU has a variety of jobs available all around campus, so you can get that pocket MONAAAYYY. A lot of students that have/had money issues are given lots of opportunities to do what they always wanted to do. Hey, that’s why so many students were able to do Study Abroad, right?
Titi from Canton, MI
By attending a school where your grades are a crucial part of getting in, employers look at our students more than other colleges. You also get the choice of the vast amount of electives MSU has to offer. You do have to take some prerequisite classes but there is some variation.
Lauren from Westland, MI
Since i live in Holden Hall, they are doing this thing called FYE ( first year experience) and the goal is for it to help freshman ease into the life of college. This program is really cool and holds a lot of activities that give you information about sex to what major to choose, anything really. Everywhere there's free activities that you can attend.
christy from Plymouth, MI
I seems like there's a daily hike in tuition, but it's worth every penny overall.
Keshia from Hollywood, FL
while all four-year institutions are expensive, michigan state was recently rated one of the most reasonably priced schools in the big ten. freshmen and sophomores pay a lower rate per credit hour than do juniors and seniors. tuition typically increases every year. scholarships are available, yet competitive. each college within the university offers scholarships for which students can apply.
Rachel from Ann Arbor, MI
For students who wish to travel abroad, there are countless opportunities. You can receive credits while you travel the planet.
Nicholas from White Pigeon, MI
This I would say is definitely true, you are getting an education from a Big Ten university and it is definitely doable if you find the right ways to finance your education.
Evan from East Lansing, MI