No minimum SAT score
Michigan State says admission is competitive but has no minimum admission requirements. The official score range describes enrolled students who submitted scores; it is not a cutoff.
College SAT requirements
Michigan State University
Does Michigan State Require the SAT?
No. Michigan State University is test-optional for first-year applicants. Students decide in the application whether they want an ACT or SAT score included in the admission review.
Source-backed guidance · Last checked September 2, 2026
Middle 50%
1100–1310
East Lansing SAT composite
Median score
1210
Among enrolled score submitters
SAT submitted
51.5%
4,817 enrolled students
Minimum SAT
None stated
MSU reports no minimum requirement
No — Michigan State is test-optional
MSU evaluates applicants without a test score and says students may self-report scores when they want them considered. The university uses the highest total SAT or composite ACT score on file and disregards lower results.
Official score context
Michigan State SAT score range
The official 2025–2026 Common Data Set reports the SAT distribution for enrolled Fall 2025 first-time, first-year students who submitted scores.
East Lansing middle 50%
Fall 2025 enrolled first-time, first-year students who submitted SAT scores
110025th percentile
1210Median
131075th percentile
The figures cover Michigan State’s first-time, first-year Fall 2025 cohort. The range describes enrolled students who submitted scores; it is not a minimum or admission guarantee.
Personal score check
Should you submit your SAT score?
Compare your result with Michigan State’s submitted-score range. This is context for a test-optional decision, not an admissions prediction.
Enter your SAT score
Use a valid total score from 400 to 1600 in 10-point increments.
Within the range
1210 is the reported median
This score is at Michigan State’s reported median among enrolled Fall 2025 students who submitted SAT scores.
Open the 1210 SAT score guideApplication details
What Michigan State’s SAT policy means in practice
No SAT superscore
MSU uses the highest total SAT score from a single sitting. It does not combine section scores from different sittings to create a superscore.
Self-report on the application
Applicants can self-report scores for admission and scholarship review. Admitted students who used self-reported scores must send official results before New Student Orientation. MSU’s SAT code is 1465.
Lower scores are disregarded
MSU says there is no disadvantage to sending multiple results because it considers the highest total SAT or composite ACT score on file and disregards lower scores.
Quick answers
Michigan State SAT requirements FAQ
Does Michigan State require the SAT?
No. Michigan State is test-optional, and first-year applicants choose whether ACT or SAT scores are included in their review.
What SAT score do you need for Michigan State?
MSU states that it has no minimum admission requirements. Its official 2025–2026 Common Data Set reports a 1100–1310 middle-50% SAT range among enrolled Fall 2025 score submitters.
What is the average SAT score at Michigan State?
The official Common Data Set reports a median SAT composite of 1210 for enrolled Fall 2025 students who submitted scores.
Does Michigan State superscore the SAT?
No. MSU considers the highest total score from one SAT sitting and does not combine section scores across dates.
Can I self-report SAT scores to Michigan State?
Yes. Applicants can self-report scores. Admitted students who applied with self-reported scores must provide official results before New Student Orientation.
Should I submit a 1200 SAT to Michigan State?
A 1200 falls within MSU’s official 1100–1310 middle-50% range and is close to the 1210 median, so it may provide useful academic context. The range is not an admission guarantee.
Verification
Official Michigan State sources
Admissions policies can change. These links are the source of truth and were checked on September 2, 2026.
MSU Undergraduate Admissions: ACT/SAT optional Testing choice, self-reporting, school code and superscore policy
MSU: First-year admission criteria Holistic review and no-minimum guidance
Michigan State Common Data Set 2025–2026 Official SAT percentile and score-submitter data
Michigan State Institutional Research CDS index Official Common Data Set archive
University names and marks are used only to identify the institutions discussed. Test1600 is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Michigan State University.