Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Michigan State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1100 to 1310 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). We use 1200 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1100 to 1310 (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 25 to 31 |
| Acceptance rate | 83.2% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26, 62,965 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test optional for 2026-27 |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Michigan State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
MSU does not superscore; only a student's single best SAT or ACT sitting counts toward admission and scholarship review.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 1360 to 1530 | 15.6% |
| Hillsdale College | 1340 to 1470 | 19% |
| Kalamazoo College | 1200 to 1370 | Not reported |
| Michigan Technological University | 1120 to 1330 | 85.5% |
| Michigan State University | 1100 to 1310 | 83.2% |
| Wayne State University | 1060 to 1290 | 83.6% |
| Central Michigan University | 970 to 1210 | 91.0% |
| Western Michigan University | 960 to 1200 | 85.3% |
| Grand Valley State University | 920 to 1170 | 92.7% |
| Oakland University | 900 to 1150 | 46.8% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Michigan Colleges.
Michigan's old SAT-cutoff award, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship (1200+ SAT), no longer covers students graduating in 2023 or later; its state replacement is need-based with no test-score requirement, so score-tied money in Michigan now comes mainly from university automatic-merit grids like Central Michigan's.
CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1200-1390 / ACT 25-31 tier): $6,000 per year with a 3.6-3.79 high school GPA, renewable with a 3.0 cumulative CMU GPA.
CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1400-1600 / ACT 32-36 tier): $8,250 per year with a 3.95-4.0 high school GPA, the richest automatic tier on the grid.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Michigan SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota | South Dakota | 1145 to 1260 |
| Rowan University | New Jersey | 1100 to 1300 |
| University of Maine, Orono | Maine | 1080 to 1320 |
| University of New Hampshire | New Hampshire | 1100 to 1320 |
A score that is competitive at Michigan State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Michigan colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1100 to 1310. A score at or above 1310 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1100 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. Michigan State lists its policy as: Test optional for 2026-27. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
83.2% (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26, 62,965 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Michigan State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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