Michigan State University

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Michigan State University was $14,914 a year for in-state students and $40,726 a year for out-of-state students. On average, college tuition rises about 3 percent a year.

If these numbers sound high, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable.

Tuition for international students at Michigan State University is $42,226 per year.

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 $14,914 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered Michigan-residents, out-of-state tuition is $40,726 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state can cut the cost of college tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition

Explore other Michigan colleges

Michigan State University International Student Tuition

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 $42,226 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support:

Michigan State University-specific scholarships

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

Michigan State University Living Expenses and Other Costs

In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies.

Room and Board at Michigan State University

Room and board at Michigan State University is $10,522 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facility can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $4,374.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the meal plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Michigan State University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. At Michigan State University, you can expect to pay about $1,154 a year for books and supplies. This does not count the initial cost of a computer or other technology. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team, may mean additional fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. It depends on if you drive or fly to get to school, own a car, or if you prefer to walk or take public transportation to get around campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. The Michigan State University campus is in a suburban setting in Michigan, not far from Detroit. First-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

For Michigan State University students, $472 is good ballpark for transportation costs for on-campus students. $6,148 is a good estimate for transportation costs for students who live off campus.

Other College Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

Let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, which can add up for both on-campus and off-campus students.

How much does Michigan State University cost?

2021 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$14,914
Out-of-State Tuition	$40,726
Room and Board	$10,522
Board Only	$6,148
Books and Supplies	$1,154
Transportation	$472
Other expenses	$2,576

Total Estimated Costs

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

Michigan State University’s tuition and fees change based on: Academic program for both full and part-time students

Financial Aid at Michigan State University

The majority of Michigan State University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2021, 16,552 of the 38,491 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Michigan State University meets 53 percent of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,433 a year. Around 51 percent 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 $31,393 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$24,023
State Loans	$0
Michigan State University-Specific Loans	$0
Private Loans	$36,266

Most Common Loans for Michigan State University Students
Federal Loans	50%
Private loans	10%

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 2021, Michigan State University awarded 12,275 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $147,834,604 to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $90,398,670 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 $16,433 in 2021. 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
Net In-state, Off-campus	$8,359
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$38,545

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.

The school offers a Prepaid Tuition Plan, which is a type of college savings plan that enables people to purchase future credits for their children at today's rate. It is best for people who are sure they or their child will attend a public school in their state.

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

Michigan State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups to cover some or all of the cost of tuition. Some schools offer them for employees and their family, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student

Michigan State University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: Employees or Children of Employees

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