The Michigan State Broad MBA is the two-year full-time MBA at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business in East Lansing. U.S. News ranks it No. 43 in its 2026 list. Supply chain is its biggest MBA career path: half of the Class of 2025 took supply chain jobs. The GMAT and GRE are optional, the Class of 2027 averaged 604 on the GMAT Focus, and Poets&Quants reports that Broad admitted just 12.4% of applicants for fall 2025.
Round 1 closed on 12 October 2026, so your Deadline is Round 2 on 11 January 2027. International applicants must apply by Round 3 on 15 February 2027, because Round 4 is for domestic applicants only. This guide covers the Michigan State MBA requirements for international students, the essays and video question, the interview, 2026-27 costs, fellowships and salaries, including separate results for international graduates.
Michigan State Broad MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Full-Time MBA or STEM MBA, two years (four semesters), starts in fall |
| U.S. News rank | No. 43, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), tied with Maryland and Tennessee |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 entry) | 12.4% (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Average GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | 604 (median 615) |
| Average GRE | 316 |
| Average GPA, final two undergraduate years | 3.4 |
| International students | 30% (three-year average) |
| Average work experience | 4 years for admitted students |
| Application fee | $85 for international applicants |
| International cost of attendance 2026-27 | $90,427 for one year |
| STEM | STEM MBA option; finance, marketing and supply chain concentrations are STEM-designated |
| Median base salary (Class of 2025) | $105,000 overall; $130,000 for international graduates |
Michigan State Broad MBA ranking
U.S. News placed Broad at No. 43 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools ranking, released on 7 April 2026. Maryland Smith and Tennessee Haslam share the spot. For MBA students the school’s strength shows in supply chain hiring: those roles paid a mean base of $117,030 for the Class of 2025.
Michigan State Broad MBA acceptance rate and class profile
Broad does not publish an acceptance rate. Poets&Quants, using data reported to U.S. News, gives these figures:
| Intake | Acceptance rate | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 12.4% | 47.8% |
| Fall 2024 | 15.4% | 44.9% |
| Fall 2023 | 17.4% | 47.4% |
A rate near 12% puts Broad among the more selective MBAs in its ranking band, and it has fallen each year. Close to half of admitted students enrol.
| Broad full-time MBA profile | Figure |
|---|---|
| Average GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | 604 |
| Median GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | 615 |
| Average GRE | 316 |
| Average GPA, final two years | 3.4 |
| Average cohort size (three-year average) | 65 |
| International (three-year average) | 30% |
| Women and non-binary (three-year average) | 42% |
| Average age (three-year average) | 26 |
| Average work experience (three-year average) | 3.8 years |
The GMAT, GRE and GPA figures are on Broad’s admissions page. The cohort, international share, gender and age figures are three-year averages from Broad’s 2025-26 full-time MBA viewbook; the class profile web page was not reachable when I checked.
Michigan State Broad MBA requirements for international students
- A four-year bachelor’s degree, or a three-year bachelor’s plus a master’s degree.
- Scanned transcripts, diplomas or certificates at the application stage, in the original language with English translations. Broad does not accept third-party evaluations such as WES.
- After admission, official transcripts in a sealed envelope from your registrar or Ministry of Education. Photocopies and notarised copies are not accepted, and MSU does not return documents.
- A one-page resume.
- Two years of full-time work after your bachelor’s is strongly recommended. Applicants with less are considered but are encouraged to send a test score and have at least a 3.4 GPA.
- One reference (two recommended), who will receive a form by email.
- Essay A, optional Essay B and a short video essay.
- TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE, unless you qualify for a waiver.
- The $85 application fee, which is waived only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
GMAT, GRE and test waivers
Broad accepts the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment and sets no minimum. It considers the Executive Assessment or strong work experience as possible substitutes for a test, through its waiver process. Since 1 May 2025 Broad accepts only GRE scores taken at an ETS test centre, not at home. The GMAT code is QH0-5P-76 and the GRE code is 1465.
If you have less than two years of experience, Broad asks for a test score. Even with more experience, I would send a GMAT Focus near 604 or above if your grades are uneven, because fellowships are decided from the same file.
English requirements
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (taken after 21 January 2026, new scale) | 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (taken before 21 January 2026) | 100 |
| IELTS | 7 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| PTE Academic | 70 |
The institution code is 1465 and the department code is 02. Institutional TOEFL is not accepted. You may not need a test if you are a citizen of a listed English-speaking country and studied in English, or if you hold a fully U.S.-based bachelor’s, an MSU degree, a master’s from an AAU university on a U.S. campus, or three years of full-time English-language work in the U.S.
Applicants educated in English elsewhere, for example in Nigeria, India or Kenya, can request a waiver. You write a paragraph in the optional essay, attach proof such as a letter from your university confirming English instruction, and Broad decides at an evaluative interview. Waivers are not automatic.
Michigan State Broad MBA deadlines 2026-2027
Broad shows its round dates only as an image on its admissions page. Clear Admit lists them for the Class of 2029 (fall 2027 entry) as follows:
| Round | Apply by | Decision by | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (closed) | 12 October 2026 | 20 November 2026 | All applicants |
| Round 2 | 11 January 2027 | 17 February 2027 | All applicants |
| Round 3 | 15 February 2027 | 19 March 2027 | Last round for international applicants |
| Round 4 | 5 April 2027 | 30 April 2027 | Domestic applicants only |
Confirm these dates on Broad’s Class of 2029 application checklist when you apply. Round 1 admits who accepted and paid the deposit on time were guaranteed a scholarship of at least $20,000 and the in-state tuition rate, but that offer has now closed.
For international applicants
Round 3 on 15 February 2027 is your last chance this cycle. Within 14 days of admission you must also submit the Statement of Financial Proof for your visa, so have bank letters ready before you apply.
How to apply, step by step
- Check your degree: Four years, or three years plus a master’s.
- Choose a track: The traditional Full-Time MBA or the STEM MBA.
- Decide on testing: GMAT, GRE (test centre only) or EA, or request a waiver.
- Book an English test or prepare your waiver paragraph and proof.
- Scan your transcripts with English translations. Do not pay for a WES report.
- Write Essay A and, if useful, Essay B.
- Record the video essay: One question, two minutes, after a practice question.
- Pay $85 and submit by 11 January 2027.
- Interview on Microsoft Teams or on campus if invited.
- After admission: Send the Statement of Financial Proof within 14 days and mail sealed official documents.
Michigan State Broad MBA essays 2026-2027
| Essay | Prompt (summary) | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Essay A (required) | Your short-term career goals and how the Full-Time MBA will help you reach them | 500 words |
| Essay B (optional) | How your personal and professional experiences connect to your candidacy; also where you request an English waiver | 350 words |
| Video essay (required) | One question answered on camera after one practice question | 2 minutes |
Essay A: short-term goals
Broad wants your first job after the MBA, not a ten-year dream. Name the role, the industry and two or three target employers, then show the gap between where you are and that job. Use the second half on how Broad closes the gap: a concentration, the supply chain faculty, the Russell Palmer Career Management Center, or a STEM MBA elective. End with one line on the longer path.
For illustration: “In my first role after Broad I want to be a supply chain analyst at a consumer goods firm such as Ecolab, building the demand forecasts I currently rebuild by hand every Monday in Lagos.”
Essay B: connecting your experiences
Use it to show a side of you the resume cannot, such as a family responsibility, community work or a turning point at work. If you need an English waiver, put a short, factual paragraph at the end with your proof attached.
The video essay
You get one practice question, then one real question with two minutes to answer. Expect about five to ten minutes in total. Look at the camera, answer in a clear order (point, example, result) and stop when you have answered.
The Michigan State Broad interview
Interviews are evaluative and by invitation. Admissions staff run them on Microsoft Teams or on campus at the Minskoff Pavilion, from September to June. They last about 30 minutes, feel conversational and leave time for your questions. Broad scores attitude, professionalism, how you work with people and fit. Wear professional dress even online, and tell the office at least 24 hours ahead if you must reschedule; missing an interview without contact may lead to denial.
What the admissions committee looks for
- Strong grades in your last two undergraduate years (the average is 3.4).
- Two or more years of work, ideally with team and leadership examples.
- A specific short-term goal that matches what Broad graduates actually do.
- Professional presence in the video and interview.
- References who will speak to teamwork and leadership if Broad calls.
Michigan State Broad MBA tuition and cost of attendance 2026-27
Broad publishes a full one-year budget for 2026-27. International students pay the same tuition as out-of-state students:
| Item (2026-27, one year) | International student |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $58,276 |
| Student voted taxes | $387 |
| International student fee | $150 |
| Total tuition, fees and taxes | $58,813 |
| Room and board | $19,688 |
| Personal and miscellaneous | $3,930 |
| Travel | $2,000 |
| Books and supplies | $1,998 |
| Health insurance | $3,998 |
| Total cost for one year | $90,427 |
Broad says to double the figure for the two-year programme, which gives about $180,854 before any increase. Tuition for 2027-28 will be set in August 2027. Michigan residents pay $37,334 in tuition.
Costs not covered
- Tuition increases in your second year.
- A laptop; you can ask financial aid to raise your budget by up to $2,000 for one.
- Flights home beyond the $2,000 travel allowance.
- The SEVIS fee and visa fee.
- Winter clothing for Michigan.
Michigan State Broad MBA scholarships for international students
About 90% of Broad MBA students receive a fellowship from the school, and Broad says it awards more than $2.6 million a year. The options listed are:
| Award | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based fellowships | $4,000 to $32,000 a year for two years | Considered from your application |
| Quarter-time graduate assistantship | About $38,000 a year in value for out-of-state and international students | In-state tuition rate, health cover, partial tuition waiver and a monthly stipend |
| Round 1 guaranteed scholarship | At least $20,000 plus the in-state rate | Round 1 only; closed for fall 2027 |
| Forté Foundation fellowship | Varies | For women; notified in spring |
| ROMBA fellowship | Varies | For LGBTQ+ students; notified in spring |
| Fulbright | External | Apply through your home country’s Fulbright programme |
Broad’s tuition page does not say which awards international students can receive, though the assistantship value is quoted for out-of-state and international students. International students cannot get U.S. federal loans. Broad lists Discover and Sallie Mae private loans, which need a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer, and suggests banks in your home country. It does not mention Prodigy Finance or MPOWER. For outside funding, see Michigan State University scholarships for international students and our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
Broad offers a STEM MBA alongside the traditional Full-Time MBA. It shares the core courses but uses only quantitative electives in maths, statistics and analytics. Broad’s viewbook also lists finance, marketing and supply chain management as STEM-designated concentrations. A STEM-designated degree lets F-1 graduates apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after the first 12 months of OPT. Ask Broad which option and concentration gives you a STEM CIP code on your I-20 before you choose electives.
Michigan State Broad MBA salary and employment
Broad’s Class of 2025 report is one of the few that splits results by work authorisation, which is useful for international applicants:
| Class of 2025 | All graduates | International (non-permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking employment | 56 | 20 |
| Accepted a job by 3 months | 73.2% | 65% |
| Accepted a job by 6 months | 78.6% | 70% |
| Median base salary | $105,000 | $130,000 |
| Mean base salary | $110,438 | $129,771 |
| Median signing bonus | $21,250 | $47,000 |
International graduates who found jobs earned more than their U.S. classmates, but fewer of them had a job at three months. By function, supply chain took 50% of hires (mean $117,030), consulting 18% and marketing and sales 14%. By industry, manufacturing led with 27%, then technology at 17% (mean $129,950) and consulting at 10%. Half of graduates stayed in the Midwest. Employers include Amazon, Ford, Caterpillar, Ecolab, PwC, KPMG, Walmart, Bayer, General Motors, Stellantis, Bank of America and Sandisk.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Paying for a WES evaluation that Broad does not accept.
- Sending notarised copies instead of sealed originals after admission.
- Booking an at-home GRE.
- Assuming English-medium study means an automatic waiver.
- Writing Essay A about long-term dreams instead of the first job.
- Planning to apply in Round 4, which is closed to international applicants.
- Delaying the Statement of Financial Proof past the 14-day window.
Who should apply to Michigan State Broad, and who shouldn’t
Apply if you want supply chain, operations or manufacturing jobs, especially in the Midwest auto and consumer goods sectors, and you value a STEM option. International graduates who found jobs earned a median $130,000, and the fellowship pool is wide.
Think twice if you want finance or consulting in New York or California, or if you cannot plan for about $90,000 a year before fellowships. The 12.4% admit rate also means you should apply to a few other schools.
Michigan State Broad vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State Broad | No. 43 (tie) | 604 GMAT Focus (Class of 2027) | $58,276 tuition; $90,427 total for international students, 2026-27 | 30% (three-year average) | 11 January 2027 (Round 2) |
| Ohio State Fisher | No. 32 | 690 typical (2024 entrants) | About $62,538 a year non-resident tuition and fees, 2026-27 | 45% | 18 January 2027 |
| Indiana Kelley | No. 21 | 618 (Class of 2028) | $55,695 a year nonresident tuition, 2026-27 | 39% | 5 January 2027 (Round 2) |
| Minnesota Carlson | No. 32 | 664.4 | $64,460 a year non-resident tuition, 2026-27 | About 20% | 1 December 2026 |
| Utah Eccles | No. 39 (tie) | 632 (Class of 2026) | $77,500 estimated for the two-year programme | 30% | 1 December 2026 (Round 3) |
FAQ
What is the Michigan State Broad MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports a 12.4% acceptance rate for the fall 2025 intake, down from 15.4% in 2024. Broad does not publish the figure itself.
Is the GMAT required for the Michigan State MBA?
No. The GMAT, GRE and Executive Assessment are optional and there is no minimum, but applicants with under two years of work are encouraged to submit a score. The Class of 2027 averaged 604 on the GMAT Focus.
Is the Michigan State Broad MBA STEM designated?
Broad offers a STEM MBA track, and its finance, marketing and supply chain concentrations are STEM-designated. Confirm the CIP code with Broad so you can use the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
What is the Michigan State Broad MBA deadline for international students?
The Deadline is Round 2 on 11 January 2027. International applicants can also use Round 3 on 15 February 2027, but not Round 4.
Sources and updates
Requirements, essays, the video essay, interview, fee, test policy and GMAT averages are from Broad’s Full-Time MBA admissions page. English minimums, waivers, document rules and the Statement of Financial Proof are from the international criteria page. Costs, fellowships, assistantships and loans are from the tuition and financial aid page for 2026-27. Employment figures are from the Class of 2025 career outcomes page. The three-year class averages and STEM concentrations are from Broad’s 2025-26 full-time MBA viewbook. Round dates for fall 2027 are from Clear Admit’s Michigan State Broad deadlines page, because Broad publishes them only as an image. Acceptance rates and yield are from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 article on acceptance rates, yield and applications at the top 100 U.S. MBA programmes. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (full-time MBA), released on 7 April 2026, as tabulated by Poets&Quants. Checked on 29 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
