Michigan State University

<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>Has 4 undergraduate business programs ranked among the nation's top 20 </li><li>Acceptance rate is 6.2 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Graduation rate is 8 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Average student debt after graduation is $2,935 less than the national average </li><li>Less than 10 miles from a major city and airport </li><li>Endowment increased by 22% from 2010 to 2011 </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost (all tuition and living expenses) is $6,168 higher than the national average for in-state students and $12,237 higher for out-of-state students at 4-year public schools </li><li>Very high number of TAs teaching classes </li></ul><h3 id="section---MichiganStateUniversityAtAGlance">Michigan State University at a Glance</h3> <p>In 2013, <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i> ranked MSU's overall undergraduate business program 24th in the nation. Additionally, its supply chain management/logistics major was named the best in the country and its production/operations management, accounting and international business programs all ranked within the top 20. <i>U.S. News</i> also named MSU the 72nd best national university and the country's 28th best public school. </p> <p>As a student at Michigan State, you'll have the opportunity to choose from 200 academic programs. In the 2010-2011 school year, the highest number of bachelor's degrees were awarded in business and marketing, social sciences, journalism, communication, biological sciences and health professions. According to the National Association of College &amp; University Business Officers (NACUBO), the market value of the university's endowment increased 22% between 2010 and 2011, which could translate to an increase in certain university resources. </p> <p>According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the acceptance rate for MSU in Fall 2012 was 71%, which was higher than the 2011 national average acceptance rate of 63.8%. NCES also reports that MSU's 4-year graduation rate is 48%, which is 8 percentage points higher than the national average. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAidAtMSU">Getting In &amp; Financial Aid at MSU</h2> <p>MSU has rolling admissions, meaning there is no hard date to get your application in. However, open spots for qualified students will eventually fill up, so you might want to take advantage of the early action deadline of October 7th. Documents that are required in addition to your application are your high school record and GPA, SAT or ACT scores (submission is required by May 1st) and possibly TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores if you're an international student from a non-English speaking country. GED (General Education Development) scores are an acceptable alternative to a high school transcript. </p> <p>You should apply for financial aid using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), through which you can receive federal, state and institutional loans. You can also apply for need-based and non-need-based scholarships and grants. Aid based on merit is determined by achievements in academics, athletics, art, leadership, music and drama, and ROTC. Alumni affiliation and state or district residency are also considerations for merit-based awards. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2011)</i> </td><td> Rolling<br />Early action: October 7th**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2011)</i> </td><td> Rolling**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Notification of Acceptance (2013)</i> </td><td> 8-12 weeks after university has received all required documents***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $50*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> 71%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $24,028 (in-state)*<br />$43,148 (out-of-state)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i> </td><td> $11,572**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (Fall 2012)</i> </td><td> 11%****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (Fall 2012)</i> </td><td> $24,987****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 4.3%*</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---LifeAtMichiganStateUniversity">Life at Michigan State University</h2> <p>As a freshman, you're required to live on-campus unless you can live with a family member within 50 miles of the university. You have many choices for on-campus residence, including coed dorms, fraternity and sorority housing, apartments for single and married students, and housing for disabled students. </p> <p>Whether you live on-campus or off, MSU's location allows students to take advantage of both city entertainment and activities through the university. For example, you might opt to participate in or be a spectator for one of the university's 25 varsity athletic teams. Many of the same sports, such as swimming and diving, have options for you to participate at the club, intramural or recreational level. </p> <p>MSU also is home to 550 registered clubs and organizations. You could write for the school newspaper, join a Buddhist study group, get involved with the Multicultural Business Tutorial Association or accept an invitation to join one of 48 honor societies. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Rural*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 36,557 undergraduates<br />11,268 graduate students*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 49% to 51%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 91%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 82%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 9%*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (Fall 2011)</i> </td><td> 91% (full-time students)<br />54% (part-time students)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 42%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1 main library with 19 other libraries and collections***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> 550 registered clubs and organizations**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> Has the country's only environmental journalism organization**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **U.S. News &amp; World Report, ***Michigan State University, ****College Board.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Michigan State University, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (517) 355-8332</li></ul>