Michigan State University
- Public
- Research university
Michigan State University: international tuition 44,300 USD per year, one-year total cost 70,725 USD, acceptance rate 84.8%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 110.
International first-year students are automatically considered for merit awards (MSU Non-resident Scholarship, $3,000–$18,000) with the admission application alone, plus Honors College awards. The pages do not clarify need-based aid or need-blind policy for international students.
Getting in. The school admits 83.2% of applicants (52,411 of 62,965). Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 590–680, Math 590–680, ACT 25–31. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL iBT 4+ or Duolingo 110+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 70,725 USD, before any scholarship. 3 scholarships are confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear. Health insurance is 3,054 USD a year. According to the Common Data Set 2025-2026, 1,054 international students got financial aid, 18,450 USD each on average.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 1/11. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 13/10/2026Cost checked 13/10/2026
What is the tuition at Michigan State University?
International tuition is 44,300 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 70,725 USD.
Does Michigan State University offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. International first-year students are automatically considered for merit awards (MSU Non-resident Scholarship, $3,000–$18,000) with the admission application alone, plus Honors College awards. The pages do not clarify need-based aid or need-blind policy for international students.
What English scores does Michigan State University require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 110.
What is the acceptance rate at Michigan State University?
The acceptance rate is 84.8%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerYesAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.If you are admitted, the offer comes with aid: the school either sets what your family pays based on finances, or takes a merit scholarship off the tuition.You will need: no separate scholarship essay — the school considers you for merit aid from your application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Kiley2026Vlog
- alexis lindley2026Vlog
- Kiley2024Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 375 public United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
This is the one-year tuition (two semesters, 12-18 credits each) for first-year international students, before any scholarships.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?YesThe page says admitted international students are automatically considered for the Non-resident Scholarship, and the admission application alone is enough, with no separate application.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearNo page says whether admission decisions for international students take ability to pay into account, so this cannot be determined.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe pages mention no CSS Profile or separate international aid form; merit scholarships need only the admission application, but need-based aid requirements are not stated.
Scholarships at this school
Honors College Excellence ScholarshipMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page13,000 USD/year≈ ₫339M
Offered to a select group of international students invited to the Honors College.
- Renewable in later years
MSU Non-resident ScholarshipMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page3,000 – 18,000 USD≈ ₫78.2M – ₫469M
The page states all admitted international students are automatically considered.
Deadline: Decisions released by mid-February; apply by Nov. 1 for early action and maximum scholarship consideration
Professorial AssistantshipOtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page3,500 USD/year≈ ₫91.3M
The page explicitly offers it to international Honors College invitees; it is a stipend for research work.
- Renewable in later years
Honors College Distinction ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The scholarship is limited to US citizens, permanent residents, or citizens of Canada or Mexico, which is a narrow restriction and not an explicit exclusion of all international students.
- Renewable in later years
Presidential Study Abroad ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page
Listed among international scholarships but the page gives no explicit eligibility wording; usable only for study abroad programs.
- First year only
Red Cedar ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page
Listed among international scholarships but limited to dependents or grandchildren of MSU alumni; eligibility for Vietnamese students is unclear.
- Renewable in later years
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- SATACTiSAT/ACT scores are not required with the application.Optional
- English proficiencyiApplicants who are not U.S. citizens/permanent residents and whose first language is not English must show English proficiency.Required
- Proof of fundsiMSU needs undergraduate financial proof from international students before it can issue an I-20.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 534 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 454 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- Early action application deadline and maximum scholarship consideration (EA)Applicationin17days
What the school weighs in admission
- GPAVery important
- Rigor of secondary school recordImportant
- Application essayImportant
- Extracurricular activitiesImportant
- SATACTConsidered
- InterviewConsidered
- Talent / abilityConsidered
- Character / personal qualitiesConsidered
- First generationConsidered
- Volunteer workConsidered
- Work experienceConsidered
- Level of applicant's interestConsidered
- Class rankNot considered
- RecommendationsNot considered
- Alumni relationNot considered
- Geographical residenceNot considered
- State residencyNot considered
- Religious affiliationNot considered
Admission odds in numbers
Early rounds & waitlist
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
73 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: one of the 50 U.S. schools with the most international undergraduates (College Scorecard). Source
Updated 14/10/2026How Duckling sources data