Geography at Michigan State University

Programme overview

Geography uses data science, spatial analysis and field studies to address global environmental issues. It is offered as a B.A. and a B.S., the B.S. with concentrations in Earth Observation and Geospatial Analytics, Physical Environment and Climate, and Human-Environment and Economic Geography.

Faculty: College of Social Science | Department: Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Geospatial technology (GIS, remote sensing, lidar, drones), spatial data science and modelling, Earth systems, weather and climate, and human-environment dynamics including urban planning, public health and economic networks.

Career pathways

Natural resource manager, data scientist and spatial analyst, geographer, emergency management director, transportation manager and cartographer. Alumni employers include Esri, General Motors, the National Park Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Meta.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Michigan State University first-year undergraduate admission (university-wide): admission is competitive with no minimum requirements and no GPA cutoff; the Fall 2026 enrolled middle 50% had a high school GPA of 3.5 to 4.0. Minimum college-preparatory curriculum: 4 years English, 3 years mathematics (2 algebra, 1 geometry), 3 years social studies, 2 years science, 2 years of a single foreign language. Test optional (ACT/SAT not required). Early action deadline Nov. 1 (also maximum scholarship consideration).

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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