East Lansing, MI · Private University
Is Michigan State Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,253
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$15,988
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$43,372
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$173,488
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
82.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,751
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Michigan State University graduates earn $22,253 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Michigan State University ranked by graduate earnings
247 graduates
99 graduates
63 graduates
76 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Michigan State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Michigan State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $94,016) and the lowest (Anthropology: $29,225) is $64,791/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $94,016 | 2.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $93,400 | 2.1x |
| Computer Engineering | $92,342 | 2.1x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $90,895 | 2.1x |
| Materials Engineering | $87,537 | 2.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $87,528 | 2.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,105 | 2.0x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $82,682 | 1.9x |
| Statistics | $81,993 | 1.9x |
| Engineering, General | $81,700 | 1.9x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $80,270 | 1.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $79,866 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $79,719 | 1.8x |
| Civil Engineering | $78,668 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $78,148 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $75,633 | 1.7x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $74,432 | 1.7x |
| Economics | $71,300 | 1.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,853 | 1.6x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $67,984 | 1.6x |
| Engineering, Other(1yr data) | $67,007 | 1.5x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $65,269 | 1.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $63,752 | 1.5x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $61,992 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $61,726 | 1.4x |
| Physics | $59,536 | 1.4x |
| Food Science and Technology | $59,182 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $58,900 | 1.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,230 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $58,207 | 1.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $57,693 | 1.3x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $56,208 | 1.3x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $55,987 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,915 | 1.3x |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $55,691 | 1.3x |
| International/Global Studies | $55,524 | 1.3x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $55,508 | 1.3x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $55,081 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $54,324 | 1.3x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $54,271 | 1.3x |
| Soil Sciences | $53,927 | 1.2x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $53,925 | 1.2x |
| Sociology | $53,766 | 1.2x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,608 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,910 | 1.2x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $52,088 | 1.2x |
| Social Sciences, General | $50,723 | 1.2x |
| Genetics | $50,229 | 1.2x |
| Journalism | $49,786 | 1.1x |
| Chemistry | $49,494 | 1.1x |
| Social Work | $49,259 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy(1yr data) | $48,967 | 1.1x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $48,430 | 1.1x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $48,185 | 1.1x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,888 | 1.1x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $47,546 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $47,242 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,069 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $46,475 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,113 | 1.1x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $46,107 | 1.1x |
| Education, General | $46,050 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,735 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,513 | 1.0x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $43,785 | 1.0x |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | $43,744 | 1.0x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $42,954 | 1.0x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $42,677 | 1.0x |
| Plant Sciences | $42,268 | 1.0x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $39,630 | 0.9x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $39,369 | 0.9x |
| Forestry(1yr data) | $39,178 | 0.9x |
| History | $38,703 | 0.9x |
| Music | $38,589 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,177 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,728 | 0.8x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management(1yr data) | $35,343 | 0.8x |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics(1yr data) | $33,373 | 0.8x |
| AnthropologyLowest | $29,225 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 2.34x | $68,740 | Strong ROI |
| University of Iowa | 1.97x | $64,762 | Good ROI |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 1.85x | $63,403 | Good ROI |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 2.05x | $56,887 | Strong ROI |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 2.07x | $59,637 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Michigan State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $67,253 10 years after starting — $22,253 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.4 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Michigan State University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.