Michigan State University once again appears in the top echelon of Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges” ranking. The magazine puts MSU in the top 6 percent of all colleges and universities in the nation listed in the new 2018 ranking, reinforcing the university’s reputation for high graduation rate, affordability and graduates’ earnings.
The magazine, owned by Time Inc., considered nearly all four-year institutions in the country and ranked 727 schools based on three major categories: educational quality, affordability and alumni success.
In 2018, MSU ranked no. 27 among all public institutions in the country. The university outpunched nine other Big Ten schools, as well as prestigious liberal arts colleges and an Ivy League institution.
For many families, the payoff comes once a student successfully graduates and has employment secured. With that in mind, MSU's graduation rate is 10 percent higher than would be expected for students with similar test scores and economic backgrounds, says Money magazine.
According to admissions data, 95 percent of MSU graduates land jobs or go on to advanced degrees right out of college with nearly 40 percent earning $60,000 or more in their first job.
Beyond MSU’s reputation for job placement and employment, the university meets the financial aid need for more than 60 percent of the applying students. On average, nearly three-quarters of MSU students who need financial aid get it, and the average merit grant is just shy of $10,000.
Money magazine also notes MSU’s reputation as a research institution and diverse student life experience as contributing factors for its position on “Best Colleges,” specifically mentioning the 900 student organizations and 325 study abroad programs.
