Wireless node selects modulation coding schemes (MCS) and number of spatial streams for transmitting data to devices via a MU-MIMO transmission based on the total number of spatial streams. In one implementation, a wireless node selects first MCS, first number of spatial stream(s) for a first device, and total number of spatial streams to be used in the MU-MIMO transmission so as to maximize the data rate to the first device, then selects a second MCS and a second number of spatial stream(s) for a second device based on the selected total number of spatial streams. In another implementation, the wireless node toggles the first selection of the MCS and spatial stream(s) between the first and second devices for fairness purposes. In another implementation, a wireless selects the MCS and the spatial streams for the receiving nodes so as to maximize the aggregate data rate for the MU-MIMO transmission.