Michigan State University Honors College

What Michigan State University Honors College does

The Michigan State University Honors College, established in 1955 as one of the oldest honors programs in the United States, is an academic unit within Michigan State University serving approximately 4,000 high-achieving undergraduate students from its East Lansing campus with a Detroit partnership extension. The college operates as a portfolio of interconnected academic and co-curricular programs rather than a single product: the 40+ year-old Professorial Assistantship (PA) program engaging ~365 first- and second-year students annually in faculty-mentored research, the donor-funded Honors Research Scholars program (Gillette, Maguire, Wielenga, Schoenl positions), the Academic Scholars Program (ASP) for ~120-student incoming cohorts on full merit scholarships, the Diversity Research Showcase, HC IMPACT Week of Service, Honors Navigators peer mentorship, the Honors Leadership Community, and the Distinguished Student Awards Office (DSAO) which administers applications for prestigious external fellowships (Goldwater, Marshall, Beinecke, Boren, Rhodes, Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Udall). The college is headquartered in Eustace-Cole Hall and operates the newly renovated Campbell Hall as a living-learning community for transdisciplinary research. The MSU Debate Program is housed within the college, with 28 consecutive national tournament qualifications.

The college generates revenue through three streams: institutional budget allocations from Michigan State University, donor and philanthropic support (endowed scholarships and named research positions), and student tuition that flows through MSU central. No separate Honors College tuition is charged; full merit scholarships (Alumni Distinguished, University Distinguished, Williams) cover costs for qualifying recipients, and PA recipients earn approximately $4,200 per academic year for an 8-10 hour/week commitment. The college operates on MSU's existing digital infrastructure without proprietary technology systems, APIs, or software products. Distribution runs through dedicated high school, campus (internal transfer), and transfer admissions pathways, plus the Detroit Early Honors Experience pipeline partnership with Detroit School District.

The college's competitive position is anchored in outcomes: MSU leads the nation in Goldwater Scholars (61 total, with 2 awarded in 2026), Honors College students comprised 51% (161 of 315) of MSU's Board of Trustees Award recipients with 4.0 GPAs in 2026, and the college has produced MSU's 20th Marshall Scholar, 6 Beinecke Scholars, and recipients across the major U.S. fellowships. Approximately 40% of Honors students participate in study abroad across all seven continents. The college is led by a team of 87 staff, including Director of Development Ryan Robinet (CFRE), Assistant Director of Development Kathryn Reed, Director of Student Success and Community Engagement Erika Crews, Assistant Dean Bess German, and Assistant Director of Admissions Jess Brandt. Dean Christopher P. Long, who also served as Dean of the College of Arts & Letters, announced his departure in April 2024 to become Provost at the University of Oregon, with Glenn Chambers recommended as interim dean.

Name

Michigan State University Honors College

Legal name

Michigan State University Honors College

Website

https://honorscollege.msu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Michigan State University Honors College is an academic unit serving approximately 4,000 high-achieving undergraduate students through full merit scholarships, faculty-mentored undergraduate research, named research scholar positions, living-learning communities, and the Distinguished Student Awards Office supporting prestigious external fellowships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Honors Program

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Honors Liberal Arts Colleges (Honors College/Program-Led) (EDAHACAL)

Keywords

• Honors college programs
• Undergraduate research opportunities
• Merit scholarships
• Academic scholars program
• Living-learning community

Headquarters

HQ city

East Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. University Budget and Institutional Funding: The Honors College is an integral unit of Michigan State University, funded primarily through MSU's institutional budget and allocations.
2. Donor and Philanthropic Support: The college receives significant donor funding to support undergraduate research positions, named scholarships (Gillette Endowment, Maguire Research Scholar, Wielenga Research Scholars), and programmatic initiatives.
3. Student Tuition and Fees: As part of MSU, the college generates revenue through student tuition payments, with comprehensive merit scholarships (Alumni Distinguished Scholarships, University Distinguished Scholarships, Williams Scholarships) offsetting costs for top students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Michigan State University Honors College is an academic unit that delivers a selective honors program for high-achieving undergraduate students, providing scholarship-funded enrollment, faculty-mentored undergraduate research positions, a living-learning community, peer mentorship, and community service programming. It generates scholarship and research opportunities through donor-funded endowments and serves as the administrative home for the Distinguished Student Awards Office and the MSU Debate Program.

Product overview

The Michigan State University Honors College is a higher education program operating as a suite of interconnected academic and co-curricular programs rather than a technology product. The core offering is the Honors College itself—a selective academic program for high-achieving students. The portfolio includes the Academic Scholars Program (ASP) for scholarship recipients, the Honors Research Scholars Program and Professorial Assistantship (PA) Program for undergraduate research, the Diversity Research Showcase for diversity-focused research presentation, and HC IMPACT for community service. Additional programs cover global/international engagement through study abroad and scholarships, peer mentorship via Honors Navigators, leadership development through the Honors Leadership Community, and specialized awards including the MLK Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award. The college also operates Campbell Hall as a living-learning facility, administers the Distinguished Student Awards Office for prestigious scholarship support, and oversees the MSU Debate Program. Student organizations including Mosaic, Mental Health Collaborative, HSOCC, HCAB, and others provide community and advocacy. All programs are accessed through the MSU Honors College website, which serves as the primary information and engagement portal for prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Scholars Program (ASP) A competitive scholarship and support program for high-achieving incoming students, featuring Welcome Convocation events, resource fairs, and peer advisory council. Serves approximately 120 incoming students per cohort.
• Honors Research Scholars Program Donor-funded undergraduate research positions enabling students to work as research assistants with faculty mentors across all disciplines, including specialized tracks such as Gillette Research Scholar, Wielenga Research Scholar, Maguire Research Scholar, and Schoenl Research Grant.
• Professorial Assistantship (PA) Program Approximately 200 incoming first-year students annually are appointed to work with faculty on research or innovative teaching projects, receiving stipends of approximately $4,200 for the academic year with reappointment opportunities at higher rates for a second year.
• Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition Competitive scholarship event bringing high school students to campus to compete for comprehensive scholarships, part of a 71-year tradition at MSU.
• MSU Detroit Early Honors Experience Pre-college partnership program with Detroit School District creating pathways for young scholars through second-annual programming, addressing access, diversity, and equity.
• Campbell Hall Living-Learning Community Newly renovated living-learning community space serving as the home of the Honors College, featuring the Schupbach Van Wagenen Fireside Lounge, artwork installations, and an inaugural living-learning environment dedicated to transdisciplinary research.
• Distinguished Student Awards Office (DSAO) Office dedicated to supporting undergraduate and graduate students pursuing prestigious external awards including Boren, Beinecke, Goldwater, Marshall, Rhodes, Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, and Udall scholarships.
• MSU Debate Program Competitive debate team housed within the Honors College, with 28 consecutive national tournament qualifications, and winner of the Julia Burke Award, Front Royal Cup, and additional ADA championships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51% of MSU's 315 Board of Trustees Award recipients (4.0 GPA graduates) are Honors College students (161 students, 2026).
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Able EyesminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service; students volunteer and learn about community services provided.
• Allen Neighborhood CenterminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service in Lansing area.
• Greater Lansing Food BankminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Haven HouseminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Hunter Park GardenHouseminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Edgewood VillageminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Homeless AngelsminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Willow Elementary SchoolminorOthers · 1 January 2022Community partner for HC IMPACT Week of Service.
• Lyman Briggs CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for students pursuing interdisciplinary studies in science and society; shared advising and research opportunities across both honors programs.
• James Madison CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for social relations and policy students to participate in Honors College research programs including the MLK Jr. Advancing Inclusion through Research Award.
• Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative advising and research opportunities for RCAH students pursuing honors designations.
• Distinguished Student Awards Office (DSAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffice administered by the Honors College dedicated to supporting undergraduate and graduate students pursuing prestigious external awards (Goldwater, Boren, Beinecke, Marshall, Rhodes).
• MSU Debate Program (debate.msu.edu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDebate program housed within the Honors College; has qualified for 28 consecutive national tournaments and won inaugural ADA awards.
• Detroit School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU Detroit Early Honors Experience partnership creating a new pathway for Detroit-area young scholars to access MSU Honors College.
• Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)coreTechnology or IntegrationMSU research facility where Honors College students conduct nuclear physics research under faculty mentors; students present at national conferences.
• MSU Undergraduate Research OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Diversity Research Showcase; supports undergraduate research across MSU.
• MSU Office for Institutional Diversity and InclusionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Diversity Research Showcase.
• MSU Spartan Life & EngagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Diversity Research Showcase.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Penn State Schreyer Honors College: Honors college at a large public research university with an emphasis on undergraduate research, merit scholarships, and living-learning communities. Highly comparable in scale, mission, and program structure to MSU Honors College.
• University of Maryland Honors College: Public research university honors college with a dedicated living-learning community, research-focused curriculum, and merit scholarship programs. Operates in a similar scale and mission footprint as MSU Honors.
• Purdue University Honors College: Honors college at a Big Ten public research university with research scholarships, faculty mentorship, and a focus on STEM research. Comparable in scale, recruitment model, and emphasis on undergraduate research productivity.
• University of Florida Honors Program: Large public-university honors program with strong undergraduate research output, merit scholarships, and a residence-based community model. Comparable in scale and research-centric positioning.
• Indiana University Honors College: Big Ten public-university honors college with faculty-mentored research, scholarship support, and integrated living-learning programs. Comparable recruitment geography and program architecture to MSU Honors.
• Ohio State University Honors and Scholars: Big Ten public-university honors program combining multiple scholars communities with faculty-mentored research opportunities. Comparable in size, public-university setting, and breadth of named scholarship and research programs.
• University of Virginia Echols Scholars Program: Selective honors program at a major public university with an emphasis on faculty-advised undergraduate research and academic community. Comparable in selectivity and research-driven identity.
• University of Michigan Honors College: The flagship public-university honors college in Michigan, offering residential learning communities, faculty-mentored research, and merit scholarships to a comparable high-achieving undergraduate population. Directly competes with MSU Honors for the same in-state top admit pool.
• Texas A&M University Honors Program: Large public-university honors program with substantial research scholarship funding, faculty mentorship, and a dedicated honors living-learning community. Comparable in scale and program structure.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Honors Program: Public research university honors program with strong undergraduate research support and a recent expansion into dedicated honors facilities. Direct Midwest competitor for top in-state and regional admits.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/msuhc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/HonorsCollegeMSU
• Facebookfacebook.com/honorscollegemsu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/michigan-state-university-honors-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/MSUHonors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan State University Honors College