Michigan State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Michigan State was $16,531 a year for in-state students and $42,427 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 42,427 per year for tuition at Michigan State University.

Michigan State University meets 57.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Michigan State University full-time are awarded $16,453 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $31,591 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Michigan State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Michigan State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $16,531 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Michigan residents can expect to pay 42,427 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Michigan residents.

Attending a school where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to verify your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Michigan colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Michigan State University?

Michigan State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Michigan State University can expect to pay around $42,427 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Michigan State University:

•Michigan State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Michigan State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Michigan State University.

Room and Board Costs at Michigan State University

Housing and campus dining at Michigan State University costs $10,990 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $5,010.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Michigan State University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is sometimes pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Michigan State University campus is located in a suburb in Michigan, near Detroit.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to take into account personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Michigan State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Michigan State University.

How Much Does Michigan State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Michigan State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$16,531
Out-of-State Tuition	$42,427
Room and Board	$10,990
Board Only	$6,268
Other expenses	$2,862

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Michigan State University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 15,276 of the 39,201 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Michigan State University meets 57.1% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,453 a year. Around 50% of Michigan State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Michigan State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $31,591 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$21,166
Private Loans	$42,481

Most Common Loans for Michigan State University Students
Federal Loans	48%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Michigan State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Michigan State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Michigan State University awarded 13,205 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $151 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $125.97 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Michigan State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Michigan State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Michigan State University was $16,453 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Michigan State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,175
Net In-state, Off-campus	$10,358
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$41,174

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Michigan State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Michigan State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Michigan State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Michigan State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Michigan State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Michigan State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Michigan State University's endowment was valued at $4.4 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Michigan State University spends about $17,886 a year.

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Learn More About Michigan State University

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