More first-year students are choosing Michigan State University to continue their education journey than ever before. At least 9,200 students are set to start their first year on campus Sept. 1, an increase of more than 8% over last year.

“I am eager to welcome this next generation of Spartans to our beautiful campus this fall,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “For many of us, this will be the first time we all are gathering together again for a robust and in-person Michigan State experience. While our work to keep our community safe from COVID-19 continues, I am encouraged by the number of students who are choosing Michigan State University for a world-class education.”

This is the first class able to take advantage of MSU’s test-optional application process, which allowed prospective students the opportunity to apply for admission without submitting an ACT or SAT score. With more than 50,000 applicants, MSU saw a 11% increase in the total number of applicants over last year with the biggest gain, a 17% increase, in domestic-out-of-state students. MSU is continuing its test-optional applications for the next five years.

The fall 2021 entering class also is one of MSU’s most diverse, with more than 600 Hispanic students – the largest entering cohort – and an 16% increase over last year in entering Asian students. Entering out of state African American enrollment also increased this fall, with a 103% spike over last year. Native American, Hawaiian-Pacific Islanders and students of two or more races are within MSU’s three-year average for enrollment.

With this year’s entering class, MSU also is expected to continue its longstanding tradition of having the most in-state students as part of its entering class, with a near record-breaking number of students from Michigan high schools — more than the last 10 years. The entering class also includes students from every state in the union.

“This class represents the promise of a stronger future for the world,” said Executive Director of Admissions and Recruitment John Ambrose, “MSU is thrilled to have so many diverse students from the state of Michigan, our nation and the collective spaces around the globe to join us in making the world a better place.”

The university’s enrollment projection is based on the number of admitted students who paid deposits. Final enrollment numbers will not be available until after the university’s deadline for tuition refunds on Sept. 27.