In October 2018, the college began a process to fully integrate into Michigan State University, changing from a private to a public law school.

The college is nationally ranked tied for No.108 by U.S. News & World Report out of 196 ABA approved schools.

[11] It was the oldest continuously operating independent law school in the United States until it was assimilated by MSU in 1995.

[12][13][failed verification][14] The college was affiliated with the Detroit Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

[21] It relocated to East Lansing in 1997, when its 99-year lease with the Detroit YMCA expired, and the original building was demolished to make way for Comerica Park.

[21] MSU Law is currently fully integrated as a constituent college of the university: academically, financially, and structurally.

The full integration was undertaken in order to facilitate collaboration between the law school and other divisions of MSU.

Attorney positions were in various size law firms, most being in 1-10 attorney firms, 5.15% of graduates obtained local or state judicial clerkships, 1.55% obtained a federal clerkship, 27.84% of members of the class were otherwise employed in public interest, government, higher education, or business, and 13.92% were not employed part- or full-time in any capacity, within 10 months after graduation.