Student Enrollment

Current student body demographics and enrollment patterns at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Total Enrollment

52,089

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

527

527 programs

Full-Time Students

37,492

2,688 part-time

Total FTE

44,406

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

17:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Program Focus

374
Certificate Graduates
Short-term specialized training
13017
Total Recent Graduates

With 52,089 students, Michigan State University is a large institution offering diverse educational programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 527 specialized programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 37,492 (93.3%)
93.3%
Part-Time Students 2,688 (6.7%)
Total Students 40,180

Predominantly full-time students (93.3%), typical of traditional academic programs.

Full-Time
Part-Time

A majority of students (72.0%) attend full-time, with a significant part-time population balancing work and studies.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Gender Split
Women
53.1%
27,650 students
Men
46.9%
24,439 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group
White
64.2%
33,416 students
White
64.2% (33,416)
International Students
8.5% (4,419)
Asian
7.8% (4,087)
Hispanic/Latino
6.7% (3,477)
Black/African American
6.5% (3,364)
Two or More Races
4.1% (2,158)
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.3% (144)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.1% (32)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 52,089 students

Largest Ethnic Group: White students make up 64% of the student body (33,416 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

41,234 students

48% Men, 52% Women
38,546 Full-time 2,688 Part-time
Diversity Index: 53% • Minority Students: 22%

Graduate students

10,833 students

43% Men, 57% Women
8,316 Full-time 2,410 Part-time
Diversity Index: 64% • Minority Students: 20%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

45,915
All full-time students
21,828 men, 24,087 women
Diversity: 57%

All Full-Time

46,862
All full-time students
22,158 men, 24,704 women
Diversity: 57%

FT Undergraduate

37,492
Full-time undergraduate
18,107 men, 19,385 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Undergraduate

38,546
Full-time undergraduate
18,544 men, 20,002 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Degree-Seeking

37,367
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
18,054 men, 19,313 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Degree-Seeking

38,406
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
18,483 men, 19,923 women
Diversity: 53%

FT First-Time

9,361
Full-time first-time students
4,508 men, 4,853 women
Diversity: 54%

FT First-Time

9,622
Full-time first-time students
4,463 men, 5,159 women
Diversity: 54%

FT Continuing

28,784
Full-time continuing students
14,020 men, 14,764 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Continuing

28,006
Full-time continuing students
13,546 men, 14,460 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Transfer

1,396
Full-time transfer students
736 men, 660 women
Diversity: 39%

FT Transfer

1,217
Full-time transfer students
609 men, 608 women
Diversity: 43%

FT Continuing

27,567
Full-time other continuing
13,411 men, 14,156 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Continuing

26,610
Full-time other continuing
12,810 men, 13,800 women
Diversity: 53%

FT Non-Degree

140
Full-time non-degree seeking
61 men, 79 women
Diversity: 7%

FT Non-Degree

125
Full-time non-degree seeking
53 men, 72 women
Diversity: 9%

FT Graduate

8,423
Full-time graduate students
3,721 men, 4,702 women
Diversity: 66%

FT Graduate

8,316
Full-time graduate students
3,614 men, 4,702 women
Diversity: 67%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

5,227
All part-time students
2,281 men, 2,946 women
Diversity: 54%

All Part-Time

5,401
All part-time students
2,467 men, 2,934 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Undergraduate

2,688
Part-time undergraduate
1,377 men, 1,311 women
Diversity: 55%

PT Undergraduate

2,991
Part-time undergraduate
1,582 men, 1,409 women
Diversity: 53%

PT Degree-Seeking

2,516
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,301 men, 1,215 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Degree-Seeking

2,876
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,523 men, 1,353 women
Diversity: 52%

PT First-Time

172
Part-time first-time students
88 men, 84 women
Diversity: 50%

PT First-Time

182
Part-time first-time students
80 men, 102 women
Diversity: 48%

PT Continuing

2,704
Part-time continuing students
1,435 men, 1,269 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Continuing

2,334
Part-time continuing students
1,221 men, 1,113 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Transfer

150
Part-time transfer students
73 men, 77 women
Diversity: 45%

PT Transfer

109
Part-time transfer students
51 men, 58 women
Diversity: 50%

PT Continuing

2,554
Part-time other continuing
1,362 men, 1,192 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Continuing

2,225
Part-time other continuing
1,170 men, 1,055 women
Diversity: 52%

PT Non-Degree

115
Part-time non-degree seeking
59 men, 56 women
Diversity: 74%

PT Non-Degree

172
Part-time non-degree seeking
76 men, 96 women
Diversity: 81%

PT Graduate

2,410
Part-time graduate students
885 men, 1,525 women
Diversity: 51%

PT Graduate

2,539
Part-time graduate students
904 men, 1,635 women
Diversity: 53%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

27,569
White
2,730
Black/African American
2,766
Hispanic/Latino
3,260
Asian
2,182
International
Diversity Index: 53% Minority Students: 22%

Graduate students

5,984
White
628
Black/African American
717
Hispanic/Latino
763
Asian
2,181
International
Diversity Index: 64% Minority Students: 20%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About Michigan State University's Student Body

Training Environment: Large institution with 52,089 students offering extensive programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Study Patterns: Mix of full-time (72.0%) and part-time students accommodating various schedules.
Academic Intensity: 44,406 FTE students indicates mix of full-time and part-time study patterns.
Learning Format: Hybrid learning approach with 66% taking some online courses.
Academic Environment: Good student-faculty ratio (17:1) allows for meaningful instructor interaction.
Student Diversity: Moderately diverse student community fostering inclusive learning environment.
Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.
Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Contact Information

Student Success

The student body at colleges often includes:

  • • Working adults seeking career changes
  • • Recent high school graduates
  • • Military veterans using education benefits
  • • Students upgrading skills in their field
  • • Individuals seeking fast-track credentials
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