Alcorn State University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who prefer a mid-size campus. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 70% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Alcorn State University is a public institution located in Alcorn State, Mississippi with approximately 2,363 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 45% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $13,265 per year. The graduation rate is 57%, and the typical graduate earns $35,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Alcorn State University is a public historically black land-grant research university adjacent to Lorman, Mississippi. It was founded in 1871 and was the first black land grant college established in the United States. The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $14,040/year net price and just $17,021 in median debt, this HBCU is genuinely affordable, and its historic significance as the first Black land-grant college in the U.S. carries real weight. However, a 46% graduation rate is a serious concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish — and median earnings of $35,000 a decade out suggest limited financial upside for many graduates. Worth considering if cost is a priority and you have a clear plan to stay enrolled, but look closely at support resources and your intended major before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 7% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,363 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Mississippi
University of Mississippi
University, MS · Public
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS · Public
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public
Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS · Public
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS · Public
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia, MS · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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