Definitive Guide to Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a major public university located in East Lansing, Michigan. Originally founded in 1855 as the first agricultural college in the United States, it was known as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan and included a mandatory 3 hours of manual labor per day for all students. As one of Michigan's "Big 3" schools, Michigan State recently joined with the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to create the University Research Corridor. The URC was created in an effort to highlight the world-class capabilities of Michigan's three leading research institutions and to hopefully spark a much needed transformation of Michigan's economy away from its dependence on the automotive industry, and towards a more high-tech future.

The massive campus at MSU consists of over 5,000 acres, most of which is undeveloped land with hiking trails. Michigan State has the 8th largest student body in the United States with over 45,000 students (almost 10,000 of which are grad students). MSU is known for a very diverse student body with all 50 states and over 125 countries represented. Michigan State has a student/faculty ratio of about 19:1, and has moderately selective admissions. The study abroad program is the largest of any university (single campus) in the nation, with almost 2,500 students studying abroad in over 60 countries, on all continents (yes, even Antarctica).
Overall, Michigan State University is a very well respected school nationally, with individual programs regularly at or near the top in their field. MSU consists of 17 degree granting colleges and over 200 academic programs. The U.S. News ranks the graduate level Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Industrial & Organizational Psychology programs number one in the nation on a regular basis. The graduate program in Nuclear Physics is ranked number two in the nation, behind only MIT. The medical school is also highly regarded with The College of Osteopathic Medicine ranked number five, the College of Veterinary Medicine ranked number nine, and the College of Human Medicine ranked number 18 in the United States.
Known as the "Spartans", Michigan State is an NCAA division I-A school in the Big Ten Conference in every sport (except hockey), and is the only college in the nation that has won multiple championships in basketball, football and hockey. Michigan State University is a great choice for someone serious about their education. If you plan to attend college in Michigan, you can't go wrong with MSU.