How to apply for engineering at Michigan State University: first-year students apply to MSU with an engineering preference, then seek secondary admission to the College of Engineering on a combo GPA after calculus and physics (3.1 for mechanical); admission routes and prerequisites for domestic, international (including Chinese) and transfer students

Engineering degrees at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing are offered by the College of Engineering. At MSU, first-year students do not enter the college directly; they apply for secondary admission after enrolling. This guide covers fall 2027 entry for U.S. domestic students, international students (with a separate section for applicants from China) and transfer students. Computer science is also in the College of Engineering and has its own guide on this site.

1. Engineering majors

• Majors on the secondary admission list: applied engineering sciences, biosystems, chemical, civil, computational data science, computer engineering, computer science, electrical, environmental, materials science and engineering, mechanical, and technology engineering.
• ABET: we checked the Mechanical Engineering B.S. page, which states ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission accreditation; see each major’s page for the others.
• Mechanical engineering: optional concentrations include aerospace, automotive powertrain, biomedical engineering, computational design, cryogenic engineering, energy, engineering mechanics, global engineering and manufacturing; a concentration may take more than 128 credits.

2. Admission: MSU first, then secondary admission

• First-year students apply to MSU: the college says the first application is to the university, not a college or program; students may declare any major, so engineering applicants choose an Engineering Preference major.
• First-year CoRe: all incoming engineering students take EGR 100, Introduction to Engineering Design (team-based interdisciplinary projects), and most majors also take EGR 102, Introduction to Engineering Modeling. An engineering living-learning community is optional, and free tutoring covers physics and calculus.
• Course criteria for secondary admission (all majors except Technology Engineering):
  • at least 28 credits earned after enrolling at MSU;
  • MTH 132 and 133 with at least 2.0 in each, and a 2.0 average in all math courses;
  • CEM 141 or 151 (CEM 151 for chemical engineering and materials science; not required for computational data science or computer science);
  • PHY 183 and EGR 100;
  • by major: CSE 231 for computer engineering, computer science and mechanical engineering; CSE 220 for electrical engineering; CMSE 202 for computational data science; CMSE 201 for materials science; EGR 102 for applied engineering sciences, biosystems, chemical, civil and environmental engineering.
• Combo GPA: the average of your MSU cumulative GPA and technical GPA. Mechanical engineering 3.1; applied engineering sciences and computer science 3.0; biosystems, chemical, civil, computational data science, computer engineering, electrical, environmental, materials science and technology engineering 2.9. MSU notes that reaching 2.9 means earning mostly 3.0 or better grades (MSU grades run 4.0, 3.5, 3.0 and so on).
• Technology Engineering: slightly different criteria: MTH 116 and 132 (116 waived with higher placement), PHY 183 or 231, and EGR 102 or CSE 231.
• Time limit: Engineering Preference students must be admitted before reaching 56 credits (junior standing), or change to a major outside engineering and reapply in the semester they meet the criteria. Apply during the semester you expect to finish the courses; the system opens on the sixth day of class and decisions come after the semester ends. Students switching between engineering majors must also apply.
• Guarantee: MSU does not say whether meeting the minimum criteria guarantees admission.

3. High school preparation and application

• MSU’s recommended minimum: 4 years of English; 3 years of math (two of algebra, one of geometry); 3 years of social studies; 2 years of science (biology, chemistry, physics or earth science); 2 years of one foreign language. Gaps are still considered, but a less rigorous curriculum is a disadvantage; honors, AP and IB courses are encouraged.
• Engineering prerequisites in high school: the engineering pages we read do not list specific high school math or science prerequisites. Secondary admission relies on MSU calculus, physics and chemistry (section 2), and math placement affects where you start.
• Essay: one essay of 250–650 words from MSU’s prompts.

4. U.S. domestic students

• Criteria: competitive but with no minimum requirements; MSU looks at grades, curriculum strength, grade trends, class standing, optional test scores, and leadership, talents, conduct and diversity of experience. The fall 2026 entering class (middle 50%): GPA 3.5–4.0, ACT 25–31, SAT 1100–1320; 9,657 students.
• Fall 2027 deadlines: non-binding early action by 1 November (submit everything and select early action), with a decision by 15 January and maximum scholarship consideration; regular decision by 1 April, with a guaranteed decision by 31 March for complete applications by 1 February. MSU says qualified applicants have exceeded space in recent years and recommends applying by 1 November. Accept and pay the acceptance fee by 1 May.
• Tests: ACT/SAT are optional.
• Costs (2025-26; the page has not yet moved to 2026-27): tuition $16,916 for Michigan residents and $44,300 out of state, fees and taxes $458, food and housing $12,928; estimated totals $36,962 in-state and $65,656 out of state. The cost page does not say whether engineering costs more; use MSU’s tuition calculator by major.
• Aid: in 2024-25, 61% of in-state and 94% of out-of-state first-year students received gift aid, averaging $8,268 and $15,548.

5. International students

• Dates: the same as U.S. first-year students: early action 1 November, regular decision 1 April (priority 1 February).
• Tests: SAT/ACT optional; international students who do not submit them provide other English results.
• English (full admission): TOEFL 79 (no section below 17) or, from 21 January 2026, the new TOEFL 4 (each section 4, speaking 3.5 allowed); IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 110; PTE 53; SAT, ACT, AP English Language or A-Level English results can also qualify. Below these, TOEFL 60–78, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95–105 can bring provisional admission. Three consecutive full-time years at a U.S. high school with a 3.0 GPA and no English-learner courses waive the requirement.
• Costs (2025-26 international estimate): tuition $44,300, fees and taxes $1,958, food and housing $13,443, total $70,725; these also underpin the I-20 proof of funds.
• Aid: in 2024-25, 59% of international first-year students received gift aid, averaging $14,084.

6. Applicants from China

• Transcripts: current students send official Chinese and English transcripts for grades 10–12 (completed and in-progress courses) plus a school enrollment letter; graduates send final transcripts and the graduation certificate, both in Chinese and English.
• Gaokao: MSU does not publish a Gaokao policy or score requirement; ask admissions.
• AP, IB, A-Level: strong results can earn credit or exemptions, with scores sent directly by the exam boards; we did not check which secondary admission courses they cover.
• After enrolling: like everyone else, secondary admission depends on MSU calculus, physics and chemistry grades and your combo GPA.

7. Transfer students

• Applying: transfer applicants use only MSU’s own application, reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions 8–12 weeks after materials are complete; apply at least six months ahead. The college says most decisions come in late January and February, with early applicants usually prioritized. The international transfer fee is $75.
• Engineering prerequisites (depending on credits): WRA 101; CEM 141 with CEM 161 lab (computer science exempt; chemical engineering and materials science need CEM 151, which CEM 141 students can test out of); EGR 102 (CSE 231 for mechanical, computer engineering and computer science; CSE 220 for electrical); MTH 132, 133 and 234; PHY 183 and 184.
• Transfer GPA: mechanical engineering needs an overall 3.6 and technical 3.4; computer science, chemical engineering and materials science 3.4 overall and 3.2 technical; all other engineering majors 3.2 overall and 3.0 technical. Grades below C do not transfer.
• Junior-standing transfers outside engineering: must complete at least 12 MSU credits, then apply under the internal criteria.
• International transfer students: no MSU scholarships.

8. Checklist

• Apply by 1 November with early action, listing an Engineering Preference major
• Take as much math, chemistry and physics as you can in high school
• In year one, take EGR 100, calculus, physics and chemistry, and track the combo GPA for your major (3.1 for mechanical)
• Apply for secondary admission before reaching 56 credits
• International students: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 79 or Duolingo 110; applicants from China should ask how the Gaokao is used

Sources: Michigan State University, Engineering undergraduate admissions (secondary admission and transfer); First-Year Engineering CoRe; Engineering majors; Mechanical Engineering B.S.; First-year applicants; First-year admission criteria; First-year dates and deadlines; International admission criteria; English language requirements; International transcript requirements; International transfer; Cost and aid. Dates are for fall 2027 entry; the cost page still shows 2025-26 rates. Check Michigan State for the latest details.