Enrollment: 36337
Average SAT: 596
Average ACT: 25
Student Faculty Ratio: 16:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 146
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $8,212.00

Jock Schools

Students Say - Academics
The size of Michigan State University "scares some people," students tell us, but for those comfortable in crowds it's "one of the strongest advantages. Where else do you cut through the Cereal Wing of the Human Nutrition Building to get to a Navigating the Universe class (a class on the parallels between art, philosophy, and physics)?" One student sees it this way: "The size of MSU makes it like training wheels for the real world. Every type of person, value, and belief is here, so you learn just as many street smarts as academic smarts, which is what sets it apart from so many other schools." There are more than "200 majors to choose from" here, including "good engineering and science programs," an "amazing communications program," "the best political science program in Michigan," "the only agriculture school in the state," and "an absolutely amazing school of Hospitality Business." Economies of scale also allow MSU to offer "great study-abroad programs," "a lot of helpful free tutoring in math and other subjects," and "great Web programs that make it very easy to download class materials and view assignments. You can also e-mail the whole class questions or just your professor, through our Angel system." As far as possible downsides to the school's size, MSU students find you have to "fend for yourself." That means potential peril for students who aren't self-motivated. One undergrad explains, "There are two roads you can follow when at MSU. You can study hard and earn a degree in a reputable, challenging setting; or you can soak your brain cells with alcohol instead of academia."

Students Say - Campus Life
It requires a lot of studying to keep up with classes in most disciplines at MSU, but that doesn't mean students bury their heads in the books 24/7. On the contrary, "Michigan State is great because everyone is there to learn but also to have a good time, which is important for any college to flow smoothly." When the weekend arrives, "everyone likes to go out, usually to frats, and have a good time. We do our share of partying, but we know when and how hard to hit the books. We keep our heads very level," except, perhaps, when attending sporting events. Life on campus "generally revolves around the weekend and the basketball or football game. You get through the week looking forward to one of the two." Indeed, "Sports are huge, and nothing beats football Saturdays or basketball nights. Tailgating is a religion." And if neither sports appeal to you, don't sweat it. "If there's something you want to do, someone else does too. You'll be hard pressed to find an activity that doesn't have its own organization and social network." Hometown East Lansing has its own allures; a student explains, "Walking downtown on Grand River is awesome when it gets warmer out," and there are "decent stores and restaurants. Also, in the warm weather you are bound to see people sitting out on their porches. Many of them are having parties or just hanging out, and a lot of times they'll invite you to come on up!" Or you can just enjoy the "breathtaking beauty of the campus," with its "old buildings and beautiful trees and plants that make every walk to class a great one."

Students Say - Student Body
MSU's size ensures that "this is a fairly diverse campus, especially considering that it is located in the northern Midwest." One student observes, "You can completely immerse yourself among different people in different situations knowing that you have the comfort of your own dorm, and somewhere there is a group just like you." Because "study abroad is emphasized at MSU," there are "a lot of foreign students, and they seem to fit right into the general population." If anything unites students-besides their love of MSU sports-it is that most "are extremely friendly. Random people in classes ask you if you need a ride home, and, even better, random people offer you a seat on the bus. It's comforting to know that these are the people soon entering the workforce and 'the real world.'"

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
Western Michigan University

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