MSU Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MSU facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. MSU's football team is nicknamed the Spartans, but their live mascot is a character named what? → Sparty
2. What is the minimum required ACT score at Michigan State? → 24-28
3. What percentage of MSU students typically participate in some form of community service? → Over 50%
4. Which NBA legend and MSU alumnus won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers? → Magic Johnson
5. MSU alumna Cynthia Cooper is famous for her role in exposing fraud at which company? → WorldCom
6. How much does attendance expense for in-state students typically cost? → $32,113
7. What is the name of MSU's popular club sports program that includes over 100 teams? → Recreational Sports and Fitness Services
8. Which MSU alumnus became a prominent U.S. Senator from Michigan? → Debbie Stabenow
9. MSU partnered with which automaker to advance electric vehicle battery research? → General Motors
10. What is the official motto of Michigan State University? → Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives
11. MSU's spring break service program, which sends students to volunteer nationally, is called? → MSU Alternative Spring Break
12. What is the name of MSU's supercomputing facility used for research? → HPCC (High Performance Computing Center)
13. Approximately how many undergraduate students are enrolled at MSU? → 38,000
14. What was the institution's official name immediately before it became Michigan State University in 1955? → Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science
15. What is the name of MSU's official fight song? → On the Banks of the Red Cedar
16. In which city is Michigan State University's main campus located? → East Lansing
17. MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine was the first what in the U.S.? → State-funded osteopathic medical school
18. What was Michigan State University's original name? → Agricultural College of the State of Michigan
19. How many credit hours must MSU undergraduates typically complete to earn a bachelor's degree? → 120
20. The nickname 'Spartans' for MSU's athletic teams was officially adopted in what year? → 1925
21. What is the name of MSU's student-run radio station that plays alternative and indie music? → IMPACT 89FM
22. Which famous building on MSU's campus houses the Kresge Art Museum collection? → Broad Art Museum
23. The MSU Hash Bash is an annual event at which university, often confused with MSU? → University of Michigan
24. Which MSU alumnus won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism? → Jack Driscoll
25. The building that serves as MSU's central administration offices is called? → Hannah Administration Building
26. The annual rivalry football game between MSU and the University of Michigan is called what? → The Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy
27. As of 2026, which MSU sport has won the most Big Ten Conference championships? → Men's Cross Country
28. Which conference do MSU Spartans athletic teams compete in? → Big Ten
29. Which battle song from MSU is called? → Hail State
30. For approximately how many years did President John A. Hannah serve Michigan State University? → 28 years