If you require financial assistance, your first step is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as the FAFSA is available in the year before you plan to enroll. For the 2024-25 aid year, the FAFSA will be available at the end of December 2023 (get information about the revised 2024-25 FAFSA here). FAFSA evaluates eligibility for need-based aid, including federal loans, and gives students access to need-based grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. The FAFSA website will help you determine whether you are a dependent or independent student, and other important criteria for aid.
The sample budgets below represent average costs for the 2025-26 academic year, or what is often referred to as the Cost Of Attendance. These budgets are based on 12-18 credits/semester for undergraduate students and 9 credits/semester for graduate students.
Food and housing costs in the budget include a double room, linen service, Silver meal plan and use of study, laundry and recreational facilities. Students are allotted the same amount for living costs (food and housing) whether they live on- or off-campus.
Personal and miscellaneous costs include average amounts for clothing, transportation, personal care, cell phone, recreation, etc.
For a detailed breakdown of tuition, taxes and fees for resident students, go here.
For a detailed breakdown of tuition, taxes and fees for non-resident students, go here.
Please note that there is no allowance in the undergraduate budget for car expenses.
2025-26 Sample Freshman Budget
| Michigan Student | Out-of-State Student | |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| Tuition | $16,602 | $43,986 |
| Fees & Taxes | $458 | $458 |
| Estimated Living & Other Expenses | ||
| Food & Housing | $12,942 | $12,942 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,420 | $1,420 |
| Personal & Misc. | $3,930 | $3,930 |
| Travel | $1,310 | $2,620 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $36,662 | $65,356 |
*Tuition and fees for 25-26 are an estimate until the Board of Trustees votes to approve the upcoming year's budget. These numbers may be adjusted slightly after the Board meets at the end of June.
2025-26 Sample Graduate Budget
| Michigan Student | Out-of-State Student | |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| Tuition | $16,560 | $31,616 |
| Fees & Taxes | $388 | $388 |
| Estimated Living & Other Expenses |
||
| Food & Housing | $18,536 | $18,536 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,998 | $1,998 |
| Personal & Misc. | $3,930 | $3,930 |
| Travel | $1,310 | $2,620 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $42,722 | $59,088 |
*Tuition and fees for 25-26 are an estimate until the Board of Trustees votes to approve the upcoming year's budget. These numbers may be adjusted slightly after the Board meets at the end of June.
Michigan State University is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.
MSU Cost Calculator
Provides an estimate of the semester costs for your selected housing arrangement, meal plan option and intended academic program.
Net Price Calculator
Provides an estimate of the amount that students will have to pay in their first year at MSU after subtracting any grants and scholarships for which they may be eligible.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
For the 2024-25 aid year, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is using a new formula to determine federal aid, the Student Aid Index. Your SAI is calculated when you apply for aid using the FAFSA, and is used to determine your eligibility for many types of financial aid. This calculator from Federal Student Aid provides an estimate of your SAI and how much federal aid you may be eligible to receive.
The sample budgets below represent average costs for the 2025-26 academic year, or what is often referred to as the Cost Of Attendance. These budgets are based on 12-18 credits/semester for undergraduate students and 9 credits/semester for graduate students.
Food and housing costs in the budget include a double room, linen service, Silver meal plan and use of study, laundry and recreational facilities. Students are allotted the same amount for living costs (food and housing) whether they live on- or off-campus.
Personal and miscellaneous costs include average amounts for clothing, transportation, personal care, cell phone, recreation, etc.
For a detailed breakdown of tuition, taxes and fees for resident students, go here.
For a detailed breakdown of tuition, taxes and fees for non-resident students, go here.
Please note that there is no allowance in the undergraduate budget for car expenses.
2025-26 Sample Freshman Budget
| Michigan Student | Out-of-State Student | |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| Tuition | $16,602 | $43,986 |
| Fees & Taxes | $458 | $458 |
| Estimated Living & Other Expenses | ||
| Food & Housing | $12,942 | $12,942 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,420 | $1,420 |
| Personal & Misc. | $3,930 | $3,930 |
| Travel | $1,310 | $2,620 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $36,662 | $65,356 |
*Tuition and fees for 25-26 are an estimate until the Board of Trustees votes to approve the upcoming year's budget. These numbers may be adjusted slightly after the Board meets at the end of June.
2025-26 Sample Graduate Budget
| Michigan Student | Out-of-State Student | |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| Tuition | $16,560 | $31,616 |
| Fees & Taxes | $388 | $388 |
| Estimated Living & Other Expenses |
||
| Food & Housing | $18,536 | $18,536 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,998 | $1,998 |
| Personal & Misc. | $3,930 | $3,930 |
| Travel | $1,310 | $2,620 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $42,722 | $59,088 |
*Tuition and fees for 25-26 are an estimate until the Board of Trustees votes to approve the upcoming year's budget. These numbers may be adjusted slightly after the Board meets at the end of June.
Michigan State University is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.
MSU Cost Calculator
Provides an estimate of the semester costs for your selected housing arrangement, meal plan option and intended academic program.
Net Price Calculator
Provides an estimate of the amount that students will have to pay in their first year at MSU after subtracting any grants and scholarships for which they may be eligible.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
For the 2024-25 aid year, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is using a new formula to determine federal aid, the Student Aid Index. Your SAI is calculated when you apply for aid using the FAFSA, and is used to determine your eligibility for many types of financial aid. This calculator from Federal Student Aid provides an estimate of your SAI and how much federal aid you may be eligible to receive.
SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
Begin Your Scholarship Search Today
There are many sources of gift aid out there, if you're willing to put in some time and effort. Search the MSU Scholarships database here, or head to our main scholarships page for information on searching for aid in your community and beyond.
MANAGE YOUR AID
Billing & Payments
Once you've been accepted and enrolled, you'll be able to see your student account using the Student Information System (SIS), where you can make payments and manage any aid. The Office of Financial Aid does not handle billing and payments, but we can answer questions related to the aid you see displayed in the student account section of your student portal.
