DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · EAST LANSING, MI · PUBLIC

Michigan State University

Michigan State University
83.9%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Michigan State University Graduate Earnings Overview

$55,084
Median Salary (6yr)
$67,253
Median Salary (10yr)
$23,250
Median Debt
2.9x
Earnings / Debt

Michigan State University graduates earn a median of $67,253 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $23,250. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at Michigan State University

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankMichigan State University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $75,000 $75,000 0%
Engineering $72,000 $72,000 0%
Mathematics & Statistics $62,000 $62,000 0%
Engineering Technologies $58,000 $58,000 0%
Business $55,000 $55,000 0%
Health Professions $52,000 $52,000 0%
Physical Sciences $48,000 $48,000 0%
Social Sciences $45,000 $45,000 0%
Legal Professions $45,000 $45,000 0%
Biological Sciences $42,000 $42,000 0%
Agriculture & Natural Resources $42,000 $42,000 0%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $42,000 $42,000 0%
Homeland Security & Law Enforcement $42,000 $42,000 0%
Communication & Journalism $40,000 $40,000 0%
Natural Resources & Conservation $40,000 $40,000 0%
History $40,000 $40,000 0%
Education $38,000 $38,000 0%
Public Administration & Social Services $38,000 $38,000 0%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $38,000 $38,000 0%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $38,000 $38,000 0%
Psychology $36,000 $36,000 0%
English Language & Literature $36,000 $36,000 0%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness $35,000 $35,000 0%
Family & Consumer Sciences $35,000 $35,000 0%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $35,000 $35,000 0%
Visual & Performing Arts $34,000 $34,000 0%

Most Popular Majors at Michigan State University

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Business/Marketing
15.4%
Biological Sciences
13.5%
Communication
9.7%
Engineering
9.1%
Social Sciences
8.6%
Psychology
5.3%
Computer Science
4.4%
Health Professions
3.4%
Parks/Recreation
3.4%
Agriculture
3.2%
Visual/Performing Arts
2.8%
Multidisciplinary
2.7%
Education
2.5%
Security/Law Enforcement
2.5%
Natural Resources
2.2%
Engineering Technology
2.1%

Is Michigan State University Worth It? The ROI Verdict

Most graduates can manage their debt load, though your specific major choice will significantly impact your personal ROI.

50 ROI Score
DeepColleges ROI Score: 50/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

Michigan State University Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankMichigan State University SalaryNational MedianPremium
Computer Science $75,000 $75,000 +0%
Engineering $72,000 $72,000 +0%
Mathematics & Statistics $62,000 $62,000 +0%
Engineering Technologies $58,000 $58,000 +0%
Business $55,000 $55,000 +0%
Health Professions $52,000 $52,000 +0%
Physical Sciences $48,000 $48,000 +0%
Social Sciences $45,000 $45,000 +0%
Legal Professions $45,000 $45,000 +0%
Biological Sciences $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Agriculture & Natural Resources $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Homeland Security & Law Enforcement $42,000 $42,000 +0%
Communication & Journalism $40,000 $40,000 +0%
Natural Resources & Conservation $40,000 $40,000 +0%
History $40,000 $40,000 +0%
Education $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Public Administration & Social Services $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Foreign Languages & Linguistics $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Philosophy & Religious Studies $38,000 $38,000 +0%
Psychology $36,000 $36,000 +0%
English Language & Literature $36,000 $36,000 +0%
Parks, Recreation & Fitness $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Family & Consumer Sciences $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Liberal Arts & General Studies $35,000 $35,000 +0%
Visual & Performing Arts $34,000 $34,000 +0%

Michigan State University Salary & ROI FAQs

What do Michigan State University graduates actually earn?
Michigan State University graduates earn a median of $67,253 10 years post-graduation, up from $55,084 at 6 years out. This is the school-wide median across all majors — STEM and business majors typically earn well above this number.
Which majors at Michigan State University have the highest salary?
Top-earning majors at Michigan State University include Computer Science ($75,000); Engineering ($72,000); Mathematics & Statistics ($62,000). Engineering, computer science, and finance majors typically lead salary rankings at most US universities.
Is a Michigan State University degree worth the cost?
A 4-year Michigan State University degree costs about $68,536 for the average family (after aid). Median grads earn $67,253/yr at 10 years out — meaning most graduates pay back the cost within a few years of full-time work.
How much debt do Michigan State University students graduate with?
Median federal loan debt for Michigan State University graduates is $23,250. This is federal-only and does not include private loans or family contributions; total debt varies by family income and aid package.
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More About Michigan State University

Michigan State University Acceptance Rate Michigan State University Tuition & Cost Transfer to Michigan State University Michigan State University Salary & ROI Michigan State University AP Credit Best Majors at Michigan State University Michigan State University Housing International at Michigan State University

Other Colleges in MI

University of Michigan
17.9% accept · Ann Arbor

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. Michigan State University is not affiliated with DeepColleges.