Michigan State University (MSU) is a public (public university) research university in East Lansing (East Lansing, Michigan), Michigan USA (United States). Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act (Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act). Its alumni include at least six winners of the Pulitzer Prize. MSU?s record of Rhodes Scholars has led the Big Ten since the 1970s. MSU pioneered the studies of packaging, hospitality business (Hospitality management studies), telecommunication, and music therapy. Today its study-abroad (study abroad) program is the largest of any single-campus university in the country, offering more than 200 programs in more than 60 countries on all continents including Antarctica. It is considered to be one of Americas Public Ivy universities, which recognizes top public research universities in the United States.

Following the introduction of the Morrill Act, the college became coeducational and expanded its curriculum beyond agriculture. After World War II, the number of students tripled as the institution became a major university. Today, MSU is the eighth-largest university (List of largest United States university campuses by enrollment) in the United States, with 47,100 students and 2,954 faculty (Faculty (university)) members.

MSUs Division I (NCAA Division I) sports teams are called the Spartans (Michigan State Spartans). They compete in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except ice hockey, in which the team is part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. MSUs football (American football) team (Michigan State Spartans football) won the Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl Game) in 1954, 1956, and 1988 and boasts six national championships. Its mens basketball team won the NCAA National Championship (NCAA Mens Division I Basketball Championship) in 1979 and 2000 while currently enjoying a streak of six Final Four appearances in the last 12 seasons. MSU mens ice hockey has won national titles (NCAA Mens Ice Hockey Championship) in 1966, 1986, and 2007.