MSU ranked highly for research, affordability by Washington Monthly 

Michigan State University has earned several high rankings for 2025 from Washington Monthly. Affirming its placement as a leading global research university, MSU ranks No. 45 overall, No. 26 among public institutions, and No. 13 among the Big Ten as one of the “Best Colleges for Research” in the publication’s newly configured rankings that began this year.

As a top global – and proudly public – research university, MSU continues to advance innovative discoveries with real-world impact,” said MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre. “Spartans pride themselves on research with reach, delivering solutions that improve quality of life and promote the greater good, locally and globally.”

Washington Monthly’s revised methodology for research rankings is based on the amount of research expenditures, the number of doctorates awarded, and the number of faculty scholarly awards using data averaged over the past three years.

Washington Monthly’s main (non-research) ranking puts MSU at No. 75 among research universities, No. 49 among public universities and 10th among the Big Ten.

The main (non-research) rankings consist of four equally weighted categories: access, affordability, student outcomes and community/national service.

The publication also has ranked MSU No. 16 for “Best Bang for the Buck” among all 367 four-year colleges and universities in the Midwest. The ranking is based on access, affordability and student outcome metrics. Further, MSU ranks No. 11 in the access category for all Midwest institutions. The access metrics account for an institution’s share of Pell Grant students.

“We believe our students deserve the opportunity to receive a high-quality, affordable education,” said Financial Aid Executive Director Keith Williams. “MSU is committed to reducing economic barriers so that all Spartans can pursue their educational goals with peace of mind.”