Michigan State University facts for kids
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Former names
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Agricultural College of the State of Michigan (1855–1861) State Agricultural College (1861–1909) Michigan Agricultural College (1909–1925) Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (1925–1955) Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science (1955–1964) |
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| Motto |
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| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Established | February 12, 1855 |
| Accreditation | HLC |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $4.4 billion (2023) |
| President | Kevin Guskiewicz |
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Academic staff
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5,703 (Fall 2020) |
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Administrative staff
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7,365 (2020) |
| Students | 51,316 (Fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 40,483 (Fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 10,833 (Fall 2023) |
| Location |
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United States
42°43′30″N 84°28′48″W / 42.72500°N 84.48000°W |
| Campus | Small city, 5,300 acres (21 km2) |
| Colors | Green and white |
| Nickname | Spartans |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FBS – Big Ten |
| Mascot | Sparty |
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Michigan State University (often called Michigan State or MSU) is a large public land-grant research university located in East Lansing, Michigan. It was started in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. It was the very first college of its kind in the United States.
In 1862, the Morrill Act was passed. This law helped create more colleges focused on agriculture and mechanics. In 1863, Michigan State became the first land-grant college in the U.S. It started allowing both male and female students in 1870. Today, MSU has grown a lot. It has many facilities across Michigan. It also has one of the biggest groups of former students, with over 634,000 members.
Michigan State is known for its high research activity. It is part of the Association of American Universities. The university campus is home to important places like the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, and the Abrams Planetarium. It also has the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. MSU has the largest residence hall system in the country.
The university has six special professional schools. These include the College of Law and the Eli Broad College of Business. There's also the College of Nursing. The College of Osteopathic Medicine was the world's first state-funded osteopathic college. Other schools are the College of Human Medicine and the College of Veterinary Medicine. MSU was a pioneer in studying music therapy, packaging, hospitality business, supply chain management, and communication sciences.
Many people connected to MSU have achieved great things. This includes 2 Nobel Prize winners and many Rhodes Scholars. The Michigan State Spartans sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The Michigan State Spartans football team has won the Rose Bowl Game four times. They have also won six national football championships. The men's basketball team won the NCAA National Championship in 1979 and 2000. The ice hockey team won NCAA national titles in 1966, 1986, and 2007.
Contents
Discovering Michigan State University's History
Michigan State University has a rich history. It was founded because people in Michigan wanted a college for farmers. They wanted to teach scientific agriculture. In 1855, the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan was established. It was the first college of its kind in the United States.
John Clough Holmes was very important in starting the college. He convinced the state government to create it. On February 12, 1855, Michigan Governor Kinsley S. Bingham signed the bill. Classes began on May 13, 1857. There were three buildings, five teachers, and 63 male students.
The first president, Joseph R. Williams, wanted students to learn more than just farming. He believed in a broad education. The college taught science, philosophy, chemistry, and more. This idea of a well-rounded education became a key part of land-grant colleges.
However, some people thought the college was not focused enough on agriculture. President Williams resigned in 1859. The curriculum was then changed to a two-year farming program. This caused a big drop in students. The college faced financial problems.
In 1860, Williams helped pass a new law. This law brought back the four-year program. It also allowed the college to grant master's degrees. The college changed its name to State Agricultural College. Its first class graduated that same year.
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Land-Grant Acts. This law provided federal money to support colleges like Michigan State. In 1863, Michigan State became the nation's first land-grant college. This federal funding saved the college.
The college began admitting women in 1870. At first, there were no dorms for women. They stayed with faculty families. Women took the same science courses as men. In 1896, a "Women Course" was created. It combined home economics with other subjects.
In 1899, the college admitted its first African American student, William O. Thompson. A few years later, Myrtle Craig Mowbray became the first African American woman student. In 1909, the college changed its name to Michigan Agricultural College.
Growing into a University
During the early 1900s, Michigan Agricultural College offered many new subjects. By 1925, it had grown so much that it changed its name again. It became Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (MSC). People often called it "Michigan State."
After World War II, John A. Hannah became president. He started the biggest expansion in the school's history. The G.I. Bill helped many veterans go to college. Hannah built new dorms, filled them with students, and used the money to build more. Enrollment grew from 15,000 in 1950 to 38,000 in 1965.
In 1955, the state officially named the school a university. It became Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. In the 1950s, MSU was a top example of an agricultural college that became a research university. In 1957, Hannah also helped start Michigan State University–Oakland, which is now Oakland University.
In 2005, President Lou Anna Simon wanted Michigan State to be a global leader for land-grant schools. She planned for new residential colleges and more research grants.
Recent Events at MSU
Campus Changes and Challenges
Michigan State University has continued to grow and adapt. In 1999, there was an incident where parts of Agriculture Hall were damaged by fire. Later, in 2008, suspects were arrested.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MSU sent most students home. Classes moved online for a while. This was the first time in the school's history that almost all learning was remote. The university worked to keep students and staff safe. They encouraged mask use and later required vaccinations.
In November 2021, a tragic incident occurred off-campus involving a student. The university banned the fraternity involved.
On February 13, 2023, a mass shooting happened on campus. Three students were killed and five were injured. Classes were canceled for a week. Students organized protests supporting gun control laws at the state capitol.
Exploring the Michigan State Campus
MSU's large campus is in East Lansing. The Red Cedar River flows through it. The campus started in 1856 with three buildings. Today, MSU's main campus covers 5,300 acres (2,100 ha). About 2,000 acres (810 ha) of this area is developed.
There are 563 buildings on campus. These include 107 for academics, 131 for agriculture, and 166 for housing and food. There are also 42 buildings for sports. The university has over 22,763,025 square feet (2,114,754.2 m2) of indoor space. There are 26 miles (42 km) of roads and 100 miles (160 km) of sidewalks. MSU also owns other properties, totaling 22,000 acres (8,900 ha).
In 2017, MSU started a large solar project. Solar carports were built over five parking lots. They cover 5,000 parking spaces. These carports produce enough energy to power about 1,800 Michigan homes. This project won an award for being the largest carport solar array in North America.
North Campus Highlights
The oldest part of campus is north of the Red Cedar River. It has beautiful Collegiate Gothic buildings and many trees. Key landmarks include Cowles House, the president's home. Beaumont Tower is a clock tower that marks the spot of the first classroom building.
Eustace–Cole Hall was America's first building just for horticulture. Other famous spots are the statue of former president John A. Hannah. There's also the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden. "The Rock" is a painted boulder. It's a popular spot for student events. The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center is also on the north side.
MSU has two museums. The MSU Museum is one of the oldest in the Midwest. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, opened in 2012. It shows art from MSU's collection and student work.
South Campus Features
The campus south of the river has more modern buildings. It has straighter roads and many parking lots. A plan called "2020 Vision" aims to replace some parking lots with green spaces. In 2005, a new bronze statue of The Spartan was placed here. This replaced the original statue, which is now inside Spartan Stadium.
Important buildings on the South Campus include the Cyclotron. There's also the College of Law and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). The Broad College of Business is also located here.
This area is home to the MSU Horticulture Gardens. Next to it is the 4-H Children's Garden. South of the gardens are the university's agricultural facilities. These include farms for horses, dairy cattle, and other animals.
Other MSU Locations
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center is a 4-star hotel. It's also a conference center. It's on the northwest side of campus. It has 160 rooms and suites. It's a "learning laboratory" for students studying hospitality.
Detroit Campus
MSU has a big presence in downtown Detroit. This campus offers programs in education and music. In 2022, MSU partnered with Apple to create the Apple Developer Academy. In 2023, MSU bought a large part of Detroit's famous Fisher Building. They also started a research center in Detroit with Henry Ford Health.
College of Human Medicine Alternate Campuses
The College of Human Medicine has smaller campuses in other Michigan cities. These campuses partner with local hospitals. The largest is the Secchia Campus in Grand Rapids. Other cities with campuses include Flint, Midland, and Traverse City.
Becoming a Spartan: Admissions
| Admissions statistics | |
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2023 entering
classChange vs. 2018 |
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| Admit rate | 83.3
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 +17.6) |
| Yield rate | 21.9
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 −11.3) |
| Test scores middle 50% | |
| SAT Total | 1220-1310 (among 48% of FTFs) |
| ACT Composite | 27-29 (among 16% of FTFs) |
Michigan State uses a rolling admissions system. This means they review applications as they come in. For the class that started in Fall 2021, MSU received over 50,000 applications. They accepted about 83% of them. About 22% of accepted students chose to enroll.
MSU's freshman retention rate is 92%. This means most students stay after their first year. About 82% of students graduate within six years.
Since Fall 2021, MSU has offered test-optional admissions. This means students can choose whether to submit their SAT or ACT scores. For students who submitted scores in 2023, the middle 50% of SAT scores were between 1220 and 1310. For ACT scores, the middle 50% were between 27 and 29.
MSU has seen a steady increase in applications over the years. The number of applications has more than doubled since 2007.
Academics and Learning at MSU
| ARWU World | 157 |
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| THES World | 106 |
| USNWR National University | 60 |
| Washington Monthly National University | 45 |
| Forbes | 63 |
Michigan State University offers over 200 academic programs. These are taught by 17 colleges.
University Rankings
MSU is recognized as a top university. In 2023, Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked MSU 106th in the world. The Academic Ranking of World Universities placed it 157th globally in 2022. U.S. News & World Report ranked MSU tied for 28th among public universities in the U.S. for 2023-2024.
Some of MSU's graduate programs are ranked very highly. For example, in 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked its elementary teacher education and secondary teacher education programs #1 in the country. Its supply chain management/logistics program was also ranked #1.
The Eli Broad College of Business is highly rated. Its undergraduate and graduate supply chain management programs are ranked first in the nation. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences was the first of its kind in the U.S., started in 1955. Its faculty and alumni include eight Pulitzer Prize winners.
Collections and Museums
MSU has important collections and museums. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is the university's museum for contemporary art. The MSU Museum covers many topics, including anthropology and natural history.
The Michigan State University Libraries system is one of the largest in North America. It has over 4.9 million books.
Research and Discovery
MSU has a long history of important research. In 1877, a botany professor named William J. Beal created the first hybrid corn. This led to much higher crop yields. In the 1930s, MSU professor G. Malcolm Trout improved how milk is homogenized. In the 1960s, MSU scientists developed cisplatin, a major cancer-fighting drug.
MSU continues to do cutting-edge research. It has the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, which is a particle accelerator. The U.S. Department of Energy chose MSU for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). This $730 million facility attracts top scientists from around the world. They study nuclear science and astrophysics.
In 2004, MSU scientists discovered a new isotope of germanium. MSU also helped build the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope in Chile. This telescope helps study how galaxies form. MSU is part of the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor. This group works to develop biotechnology research in Michigan.
Michigan State, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University formed the University Research Corridor in 2006. This group works together to boost Michigan's economy. They help transfer new technologies and create jobs.
University Funding
MSU's private funding, called its endowment, started in 1916. Ransom E. Olds, an automobile maker, gave $100,000 to help the engineering program.
For many years, MSU's endowment was smaller than other big universities. But in the 2000s, the university worked hard to increase it. By June 30, 2021, MSU's endowment had grown to $4.4 billion.
Colleges and Programs
MSU offers over 200 academic programs. These are spread across 17 colleges.
Residential Colleges
MSU has three residential colleges. These colleges combine living and learning. Students live in a dorm with other students in their program. They also take classes there.
James Madison College started in 1967. It offers programs in social sciences. Classes are small, with about 25 students. Students study international relations, political theory, and more. They often do internships or study abroad.
Lyman Briggs College also started in 1967. It teaches math and science. Students learn how science connects to society and history. Many students want to work in medicine.
MSU's newest residential college is the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH). It opened in 2005. It offers a special program in the liberal, visual, and performing arts. Students live in Snyder-Phillips Hall.
Professional Schools
The Michigan State University College of Law was founded in 1891 in Detroit. It moved to East Lansing in 1995. It became a public law school in 2018. The law school publishes several journals.
The Eli Broad College of Business has programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and more. It has both undergraduate and graduate students. Its hospitality business program was the first in the U.S. to offer a Master of Business Administration degree.
The Michigan State University College of Nursing started in 1950. It trains nurses and offers various nursing degrees. The college focuses on research, education, and practice.
The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine was the world's first publicly funded college for osteopathic medicine. Many of its graduates stay in Michigan to practice.
The College of Human Medicine offers a Doctor of Medicine (M.D. degree). It has seven campuses across Michigan. These campuses partner with local hospitals.
The College of Veterinary Medicine was formally established in 1910. It is ranked among the top veterinary schools in the nation. It has a large teaching hospital.
Other Academic Areas
MSU's music program has grown a lot. In 2007, it became its own college: The MSU College of Music.
The College of Education offers degrees in teaching, counseling, and more. Its graduate programs for elementary and secondary teacher education are ranked #1 in the country.
The MSU Honors College is for top undergraduate students. It offers special courses and advising. High school students can join if they have strong grades and test scores.
The College of Engineering has a program called the Residential Experience for Spartan Engineering (CoRe). This program gives freshman engineering students hands-on experience. It also offers study abroad programs.
MSU's original focus on agriculture continues today in the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Spartan Athletics
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Michigan State has 12 varsity sports for men and 13 for women. Their teams are called the Spartans. The mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty. MSU competes in the Big Ten Conference.
In 1888, Michigan State (then Michigan Agricultural College) helped start the nation's oldest athletic conference.
Football Fun
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Football has a long history at Michigan State. It started as a club in 1884. The Spartans have won the Rose Bowl four times. They also won six national championships. Many MSU football players have gone on to play in the National Football League.
Basketball Success
MSU's men's basketball team has won the National Championship twice. They won in 1979 and again in 2000. The team plays at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Ice Hockey Victories
The Michigan State men's ice hockey team started in 1924. They have won national titles in 1966, 1986, and 2007. They play at MSU's Munn Ice Arena. The rivalry between the Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines is very strong. In 2001, a world record crowd of 74,554 watched a game between them at Spartan Stadium.
Cross Country Champions
Michigan State's men's cross country team has a strong history. They won many titles in the early 1900s. Since joining the Big Ten in 1950, they have won 14 men's team titles. They also won eight NCAA championships.
Wrestling Prowess
MSU Spartan Wrestling won their only team NCAA Championship in 1967. They have had over 50 Big Ten Conference Champions. Many Spartan wrestlers have become All-Americans.
Student Life at Michigan State
East Lansing is a true college town. A large part of its population is between 15 and 24 years old. MSU has the largest residence hall system in the United States. About 16,000 students live in MSU's 23 undergraduate halls. Each hall has its own student government. Many students also live off-campus in apartments or fraternity and sorority houses.
In 2014, there were about 50,085 students at MSU. This included about 38,786 undergraduate students. Students come from all 50 U.S. states and 130 countries.
Student Body Diversity
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 68% |
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| Black | 8% |
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| Foreign national | 7% |
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| Asian | 7% |
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| Hispanic | 6% |
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| Other | 5% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 22% |
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| Affluent | 78% |
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MSU is one of the universities with the largest student enrollment in the U.S. The student body is 52% female and 48% male. About 75% of students are from Michigan. The rest come from other U.S. states and 138 other countries.
International Connections
In Fall 2019, 5,660 international students were at MSU. Most came from China, India, and South Korea. MSU has a strong study abroad program. In 2017–2018, students studied in over 60 countries.
MSU has helped international students during difficult times. For example, in 2021, MSU helped evacuate over 70 staff, scholars, and their families from Afghanistan. They helped these students continue their studies.
Fraternities and Sororities
MSU has a large Greek Community with over 3,000 members. It started in 1872. Today, there are 55 Greek letter student groups. These groups hold many charity events and fundraisers. For example, they raised over $260,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2011.
Student Organizations and Activities
The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) is the undergraduate student government. They offer services like free blue books for exams and low-cost printing. They also provide funding for student organizations.
There are over 800 student organizations at MSU. These groups are registered through the Department of Student Life. The Eli Broad College of Business alone has 27 student organizations.
Student Activism
Activists have played an important role at MSU. During the Vietnam War, student protests helped create co-ed dorms. In the 1980s, students convinced the university to stop investing in companies that supported apartheid in South Africa.
In 2011, a student group protested to encourage the university to use 100% clean energy. After the February 13th shooting in 2023, students organized a peaceful protest. This led to new gun control laws in Michigan.
Sustainability Efforts
The MSU Office of Sustainability works to make the campus more environmentally friendly. The university aims to reduce energy use by 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2015. They also want to reduce landfill waste by 30%.
All new buildings at MSU must meet LEED-certification standards. In 2009, a new recycling center was built. The university hopes to double its recycling rate.
The Student Organic Farm is run by students. It teaches organic farming. It also provides fresh produce to the community.
Campus Media
MSU has many media outlets run by students. The State News is the student newspaper. It's available online and at newsstands. The campus yearbook is called the Red Cedar Log.
The Red Cedar Review is MSU's literary journal. It's the longest-running undergraduate literary journal in the U.S. Ing Magazine and VIM Magazine are student-run magazines about lifestyle and fashion.
MSU also has electronic media. WKAR-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service affiliate. It's the second-oldest educational TV station in the U.S. MSU also has three radio stations. WDBM is the student-run radio station. It plays alternative music and covers sports and news.
Notable Spartans
MSU has about 5,703 faculty and 7,365 staff members.
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Famous Alumni
As of Fall 2018, there were about 634,300 living MSU alumni worldwide. Many Spartans have become famous in politics, sports, and entertainment.
Notable politicians include current Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Former Michigan governors James Blanchard and John Engler also attended MSU. U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Spencer Abraham are also alumni. Lee Wan-koo, a former Prime Minister of South Korea, is an MSU graduate.
Billionaires and philanthropists like Tom Gores and Eli Broad are MSU alumni. Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert also went to MSU.
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In Hollywood, famous alumni include actors James Caan and Robert Urich. Film directors Michael Cimino and Sam Raimi are also Spartans.
Musicians like jazz pianist Henry Butler and vibraphonist Milt Jackson are MSU alumni.
Journalists like NBC reporter Chris Hansen and ESPN sportscaster Jemele Hill graduated from MSU. Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine, also attended Michigan State.
Many Spartans have excelled in sports. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a three-time NBA MVP, is an MSU alumnus. Other NBA players include Steve Smith and Zach Randolph.
In the National Football League, MSU alumni include Carl Banks and Bubba Smith. Morten Andersen, the NFL's games-played leader, also went to MSU.
Former Michigan State players in the National Hockey League include Duncan Keith and Rod Brind'Amour.
In Major League Baseball, Hall of Fame inductee Robin Roberts and Kirk Gibson are MSU alumni.
Ryan Riess, the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, is a 2012 MSU graduate.
Miss America 1961, Nancy Fleming, is also a graduate of Michigan State.
Verghese Kurien, known as the "Father of the White Revolution" in India, earned a master's degree from MSU. Tyler Oakley, a popular YouTube personality, graduated from MSU in 2011.
See also
- List of land-grant universities
- List of colleges and universities in Michigan
- Education in Michigan
- Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band
