Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 165 years.
A top global university, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery to make a better world while providing students with life-changing opportunities.
Dedicated to advancing a culture of respect, awareness, and compassion, MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community.
University-wide distinctions
- MSU is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, a group of 65 research universities (63 in the United States and two in Canada) widely regarded as top research-intensive institutions in North America.
- MSU is one of the top universities in the world (#106), according to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023.
- MSU ranks No. 31 among public universities and No. 77 overall in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2022-2023
- MSU ranks No. 81 out of more than 800 U.S. colleges and universities, according to the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.
- Money magazine ranks Michigan State No. 65 in its Best Colleges 2022 which takes into account quality of education, affordability and outcomes.
- Among the top 100 patent-granting universities in the world (#85), according to the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association
- No. 2 in the world in education for three straight years, and No. 3 in the world for two straight years in communication, according to the 2022 Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, a widely used international ranking of universities
- Three MSU programs are ranked in the top 25 in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Communication and media (#9)
- Agriculture and forestry (#10)
- Education (#19)
- MSU has earned global accolades in the Times Higher Education 2022 Impact Rankings, which measure how more than 1,400 universities are making progress in working toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
- Tied for #33 in the world and #2 in the country overall
- #6 globally and #2 in the U.S. for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
- #25 globally and #4 in the U.S. for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- #26 globally and #1 in the U.S. for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
- #27 globally and #4 in the U.S. for SDG 15 (Life on Land)
- #33 globally and #3 in the U.S. for SDG 1 (No Poverty)
See MSU Facts for more rankings and recognitions
