MS in Business Data Science and Analytics (STEM) 

at Michigan State University, East Lansing

No, Michigan State University is not an Ivy League School. The Ivy League Schools in US are synonymous with excellence and world-class education. Basically, Ivy League is an American collegiate athletic conference comprising eight private research universities in the Northeastern United States. The Ivy League schools are; Brown University, Columbia University, University University, Dartmouth College, Ivy5 University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University.

Michigan State University QS ranking is #161 in 2026 and #152 in 2025 rankings. In 2024, this university ranks at #136 position. From some past years QS rankings analysis, it can be said that this university ranks among the Top 200 Universities in the world. A few of the parameters considered for this rankings are academic reputation, citations per faculty, employment outcomes, etc.

Michigan State has been consistently ranked by ARWU Shanghai ranking body over the years. In the past 3 years, its MSU's ARWU ranking has witnessed a stagnant rank. In the 2025 ranking, the university was ranked at #151 globally and the same was the case for the past some years. 

As an International student, one should be prepared with scanned copies of all the admission documents needed for MSU admissions. 

The list of documents required is given below for Michigan State University: 

• Official, attested academic transcripts

  • Grade 10–12 for UG applicants

  • Bachelor's degree transcripts for PG

• Proof of English proficiency  

• A Passport copy 

• Financial ability evidence  

• LOR

• SOP

There are around 78 master's programs available at Michigan State University for international students. On the other hand,  SPA in Delhi offers only 3 master's programs for students. The cost of a master's at SPA Delhi is just INR 1.8 L (complete fees). But, the cost of a master's from MSU varies from INR 17 L to INR 65 L for first-year. 

Some of the subject rankings of MSU Michigan are given below as per some of the top-ranking publishers:

U.S. News & World University Rankings (Global) 2025-26

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

As per Shiksha Popularity rankings, Michigan State University is ranked #160 in the world among the top universities of the world. And in the USA, this university ranks #43. So, yes, MSU can be considered a prestigious university because many of the courses offered at this university are ranked well by some of the top ranking bodies like QS, THE and US World and News. 

Michigan State University admissions are not very competitive for international students. Mentioned below are the basic requirements to get into MSU:

·      Academic performance in high school

·      Strength and quality of curriculum

·      Recent trends in academic performance

·      Class rank

·      Standardized test scores for GMAT or  GRE

·      English language proficiency test score

·      Leadership, talents, conduct, and diversity of experience

Michigan State University ranks at #56 in Bloomberg Business School rankings in 2024-25 rankings. The indicators that are used for ranking the B-schools are:

• Compensation
• Learning
• Networking
• Entrepreneurship
• Diversity

Michigan State University is among the top research universities in the world. It is a Tier-1 research university ranked in the Top 100 in the world. It is in fact a top 50 Research University as per Washington Monthly 2023 rankings. Though the students at the university come for academics, but they fall in love with the people and community. The student body at the university is really social, friendly, active, and globally aware.