MSU celebrates largest enrollment, growing accessibility

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan State University is celebrating its largest enrollment ever, with 52,089 students enrolling for the Fall 2024 semester. 10,978 of these students are first-year students or transfer students.

These 52,000 students include international students from 138 countries, students from all 50 states, and 37,646 students representing all 83 counties in Michigan. Notably, students of color make up 27.8 percent of the domestic student body—making this year’s student body the most diverse one in the university’s history.

“These enrollment numbers reflect what Spartans know to be true — that Michigan State offers a world-class education, a transformative college experience and excellent return on graduates’ investment in degrees that become appreciating assets throughout their careers,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.

MSU is also working to increase its accessibility by reducing financial barriers to higher education. One of the ways they’re working to do so is by introducing a new merit-based scholarship to fund tuition, food, housing, study abroad and experiential educational opportunities for university undergraduate students.

The university also expanded the Spartan Tuition Advantage program—a financial program that covers up to 18 credits of tuition per semester for qualifying students—via the Native American Tuition Advantage program. This program allows students from the United States and Canada who meet tribal affiliation criteria to qualify for in-state tuition and the Spartan Tuition Advantage program.

Additionally, the university received $1 million from the state to create partnerships with Michigan community colleges, grow opportunities for its Credit for Prior Learning program, and improve credit evaluation to increase access to an MSU degree for students statewide.

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